Tonal Alternation in Yoruba Numerals
Keywords:
Yoruba, numeral, tonal alternation, tomorphAbstract
This study examines the alternation between Mid and Low tones in Yoruba numerals. It reports that the basic numbers ọ̀kan “one”, ẹ̀ ta “three”, and ẹ̀rin “four” all have L-M tonal structure, but the M becomes L when the numbers are combined with other number items in the formation of higher numerals such as ọ̀k ànlá “eleven”, ẹ̀t ạlá “thirteen” and ẹ̀r ìndínlógún “sixteen” among others. It is then argued that Yoruba has a numeral-marking L-tomorph that becomes active only when it is preceded by M. Examples are presented to show the linking of this L-tomorph in higher numerals in which the structural conditions are met.
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