ELG359: Phonological Principles and Phonemic Analysis: Phonology Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Question 1: Phonological Principles and Phonemic Analysis

The data below shows some words from a made-up language. Examine the data and answer the questions that follow.

a) Based on the given data, are [V],[g] and [p] separate phonemes or allophones of the same phoneme? Construct an explanation with evidence to support your answer.
b) What is/are the underlying form(s)?
c) State rule(s) that must be applied to derive the surface representation(s).

Question 2: Phonological Constraints, Principals and Alternations

All languages are governed by phonotactics and alternations. Test your critical analysis skills by answering the questions below.

a) Characterize each of the following alternations as assimilation, coalescence, debuccalization, deletion, dissimilation, epenthesis, fortition, lengthening, shortening, lenition or metathesis. If it is a case of assimilation or dissimilation, state whether it is local or long distance. Some may contain more than one alternation.

i) In some varieties of English, the phrase not yet is quite often uttered as ‘nochet’ in casual conversation.

ii) [malk] and [fahm] mean property and understanding, respectively, in Tunisian Arabic. A Tunisian Arabic speaker would say [mlak] and [fham] to mean he possessed and he understood, respectively.

iii) In Singlish, /t/ and /k/ are often realized as [?] when they occur word finally, such as in cat and back.

iv) The English loanword card is [ka: ti] in Tongan, an Austronesian language.

b) Examine the following English words.