Affrication of Voiced Labials (/B, V/) in Changana

Abstract

This article describes and analyses the frication of the voiced labial
 consonants (/b/ and /v/) in Changana, a Bantu language (S53, in Guthrie’s
 1967-1971 classification). In the light of the autosegmental phonology (Leben
 1973, 1978, 2006; 1973, Goldsmith 1976, 2004; Odden 1986) combined with
 the Feature Geometry theory, the article discusses phonological processes
 that turn voiced labials into labial-alveolar affricate [bz]. In this study, we
 assume that the process of hiatus resolution by gliding is the trigger of the
 alteration under analysis. That is, when derivative suffixes with low vowel
 (/a/) and the high front vowel (/i/) in the initial position are attached to
 words with rounded vowels (/o, u/) in final position in some morphological
 processes such as diminutivisation and locativisation, the results are
 undesirable sequences (hiatus). In order to resolve such hiatus, a series
 of phonological processes such as the turning of the rounded vowel in the
 word final position into labial-velar glide allowing the adjacency of voiced
 labials with labial glide which violates the Obligatory Contour Principle
 (OCP) takes place. The present study analyses the OCP using empirical
 Changana data collected both in the fieldwork supplemented by data from
 other sources including bibliographical and introspective data. The article
 is organised as follows. Firstly, it discusses the theoretical framework;
 secondly it analyses the Hiatus Resolution in Changana; thirdly, it analyses
 the data and lastly, it presents the main conclusions of the study.