Aspects of Dauro Phonology
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research provides some aspects of a description of Dauro phonology; a language with half
a million speakers in Ethiopia. However, even though no exclusive phonological works are
available on the language some authors tried to give an overview of the sound system as an
introduction to their works. Consequently, in several publications I found inconsistent
segmental inventories of the language. On top of this, supra-segmental features are less
emphasized.
In view of that, this study intends to deal with the language’s sound system with no particular
emphasis on any phonological theory, but provides a general description of the language’s
phonological aspect for linguists from diverse backgrounds. Thus, classifying the major
analysis into two, (chapters two and three) this thesis makes some brief description about
aspect of the segments in chapter two and the supra-segmental features in chapter three.
Finally, the theme of the thesis is summarized in chapter four.
Hence, this work presents the vowel and consonant phonemes employed in the language.
Additionally, features of each segment of the language are pointed out. An attempt is also
made to identify the syllable structure and the way the language syllabifies its words. In
addition, phonotactic restrictions on segments as well as possible clusters of consonants in the
language are also provided. Furthermore, the tone system and its functions are highlighted
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Dauro phonology, a language with half a million speakers in Ethiopia