Abstract
Previous analyses of the behaviour of siSwati mid vowels show conflicting results. According to Ziervogel and Mabuza, and Taljaard and Snyman, siSwati mid vowels are raised to close mid [e, o] when preceding the high vowels [i, u] (e.g. [likheʃi] ‘lift’ (n.), [inɮovu] ‘elephant’) but remain open mid [ϵ, ɔ] before [-high] vowels (e.g. [liʦemba] ‘hope n.’, [ibola] ‘football’), suggesting that siSwati has a vowel height assimilation and/or ATR assimilation. However, Kockaert, in his acoustic analysis of the same vowels in the same environments, disputes this description. He concludes that there is no significant difference in the F1, F2, and F3 frequency values of these vowels. Results of an experiment that I have conducted show that the phonological environment does influence the quality of siSwati mid vowels. The change though is not evidence of harmony but that of co-articulation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
