Syllabic Constraints in Ekegusii Borrowing: An Optimality Perspective
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Date
2021
Authors
Mose, Edinah Gesare
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Culture
Abstract
A language’s syllabic structure is key in determining linguistic borrowing.
Research on loanword phonology indicates that when languages borrow
segments, these borrowed segments undergo systematic adaptations which
involve phonological structures at various levels and one of these is the
syllabic level. Because languages have varied syllabic structures which will
range from very simple to complex, a language’s syllabic structure will
trigger repair strategies that ensure that its language phonotactics are not
violated. However, how the syllable in Ekegusii constrains borrowing from
English has not been adequately explained. This article that was based on
Optimality Theory’s constraint approach examined how Ekegusii’s syllable
structure constrains borrowing from the English language. The data used in
this article was extracted from Mose’s doctoral study. The findings revealed
that the Ekegusii syllable structure imposed various constraints spread across
the three patterns which are permissible in the language. The specific
constraints included: prohibition of cluster consonants, diphthongs or
triphthongs, no coda consonants, and complex onsets, as well as syllables,
must have onsets that were lowly ranked in the language. The article
concluded that syllabic constraints determined that whatever was mapped to
Ekegusii adhered to its syllable structure.
Description
A research article published in International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Culture
Keywords
Constraints, Optimality, Phonotactics, Syllable
Citation
Mose, E. G. (2021). Syllabic constraints in ekegusii borrowing: an optimality perspective. International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Culture, 7(5), 344-355. https://doi.org/10.21744/ijllc.v7n5.1911