Labialization in Jukun: A Generative Approach
Keywords:
Labialization, automatic, non-automatic, Generative Phonology, Niger-Congo LanguagesAbstract
Jukun has been classified as a branch of Benue-Congo, under the Niger-Congo family of the Niger-Kordofanian phylum which is made up of Platoid, Cross River, and Bantoid languages. This paper attempts to analyze the phonological behaviour of labialization in Jukun language. Labialization in Jukun occurs in bilabial stops, alveolar fricatives, velar stops, and glottal fricatives. The paper consists of two parts, the first part which is a general introduction discusses labialization in general terms distinguishing between automatic and non-automatic labialization in Jukun. Automatic labialization is internally conditioned, while non-automatic labialization applies only under certain conditions. The paper also stated the methodology employed in conducting the research. The second part of the paper analyzes the environments in which labialization takes place in Jukun. The theoretical framework underpinning this study is that of the transformational generative phonology. The general observation
is that there is sharp difference between automatic and non-automatic labialization in Jukun. The main aim of the paper is to unearth the behaviours of labialization in Jukun language.
References
Abiodun, M. (2006). “Phonology”, in Yusuf, O. (ed.) Wazobia, Basic Linguistics for Nigerian Languages, Working Copy NINLAN, Aba Nigeria.
Ajiduku, B. A. (2013). The Elements of Jukun Grammar: An Introduction. Advertiser Education Associate Ltd, Jalingo Nigeria.
Akmajian, A., R. Demers, A. Farmer, and R. Harnish (2008). Linguistics: An Introduction to Language and Communication (5th edition). Prentice-Hall of India, New Delhi.
Dinslage, S. and A. Storch (2000). Magic and Gender: A Thesaurus of Jibe Kona. Cologne: Koppe, Afrikanistik, Germany.
Fakuade, G. (1995). “Language Contact and Language Conflict: The Kuteb-Jukun Case in Taraba State Nigeria” .Ph.D. Thesis University of Ilorin.
Greenberg H. J. (1963). The Languages of Africa. Bloomington Indiana University Press.
Gussenhoven, C. and Jacobs, H. (2011). Understanding Phonology. Understanding Language Series, Hodder Education, U.K.
Ladefoged, P. (1994). A Course in Phonetics. New York Harcourt Brace, Jovanovich.
Ladefoged, P. (1971). Preliminaries to Linguistic Phonetics. Chicago: University Press.
Lodge, K. (2007). A Critical Introduction to Phonetics. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data, U.K.
Meek, C.K. (1931). A Sudanese Kingdom: An Ethnographical Study of the Jukun-Speaking Peoples of Nigeria. Negro University Press New York.
Omachonu, G. S. (2011). NSUK Texts in General Linguistics Vol. 1. Nasarawa State University, Keffi Nigeria.
Sani, M. A. Z. (1989). An Introductory Phonology of Hausa (With Exercises). Benchmark Publishers Limited, Kano Nigeria.
Shimizu, K. (1980). A Jukun Grammar. Beitrage Zur Afrikanistik, Germany.
Shimizu, K. (1971). “Comparative Jukunoid: An Introductory Survey”. An Unpublished PhD. Thesis University of Ibadan.
Surajo, L. (2016). “A Contrastive Analysis of English and Jukun Phonology”. An Unpublished PhD. Thesis, Bakht Alruda University, Sudan.
Surajo, L. (2008). “The Phonology of Hausa Loanwords in Jukun”. An Unpublished M.A Thesis, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
Westerman, D and M.A. Bryan (1952). The Languages of West Africa. www.bu.edu/missiology.
