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Shaj: Difference between revisions
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Dental obstruents /t/ and /ð/ may not precede /l/. Thus /l/ changes to /ŭ/ in this context. | Dental obstruents /t/ and /ð/ may not precede /l/. Thus /l/ changes to /ŭ/ in this context. | ||
=====Epenthesis===== | =====Epenthesis===== | ||
In most registers of Shaj, sequences of VV (where V stands for any vowel or diphthong) are prohibited anywhere within a word, or across word boundaries. Thus /l/ (or /ŭ/ if the first vowel is either /u/ or /aŭ/) becomes inserted between the vowels. For example, / | In most registers of Shaj, sequences of VV (where V stands for any vowel or diphthong) are prohibited anywhere within a word, or across word boundaries. Thus /l/ (or /ŭ/ if the first vowel is either /u/ or /aŭ/) becomes inserted between the vowels. For example, /ʒɑɣ namvɑllet ɑĭ ĭk/ → /ʒɑɣ namvɑllet ɑĭ lĭk/ "I have red hair". Sequences of /uŭ/ or /ŭŭ/ reduce to /ŭ/. Since epenthesis is an aesthetic rule that makes no semantic difference, it is inconsistently ignored both in speech and in writing. More recently, VV sequences are seen more often, where /l/ or /ŭ/ would need to be inserted. | ||
=====Alternations===== | =====Alternations===== | ||
Some words alternate velar and postalveolar consonants. This reflects palatalization in former stages of the language that have yielded some unpredictable irregularities. For example, /vorəɣ/ "mountain", becomes /vørʒen/ "mountains". | Some words alternate velar and postalveolar consonants. This reflects palatalization in former stages of the language that have yielded some unpredictable irregularities. For example, /vorəɣ/ "mountain", becomes /vørʒen/ "mountains". | ||