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===Phonotactics=== | ===Phonotactics=== | ||
<!-- Explain the consonant clusters and vowel clusters that are permissible for use in the language. For example, "st" is an allowed consonant cluster in English while onset "ng" isn't. --> | <!-- Explain the consonant clusters and vowel clusters that are permissible for use in the language. For example, "st" is an allowed consonant cluster in English while onset "ng" isn't. --> | ||
The maximum allowed syllable structure is CVCC. Consonant clusters with more than two consonants are broken up by inserting the epenthetic vowel /ɨ/. /ɨ/ is also added (in speech only) after a word-final consonant cluster when the following word begins in a vowel. | The maximum allowed syllable structure is CVC word-medially and CVCC word-finally. Consonant clusters with more than two consonants are broken up by inserting the epenthetic vowel /ɨ/. /ɨ/ is also added (in speech only) after a word-final consonant cluster when the following word begins in a vowel. | ||
Not all clusters are allowed word-finally. The following are allowed: | Not all clusters are allowed word-finally. The following are allowed: | ||
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Any other word-final cluster is broken with /ɨ/. Alternatively, a word-final /i/ may be added, especially in loanwords - e.g. ዓቅሊ /ʕakʼli/ "reason, common sense" (from Arabic عقل /ʕaql/). | Any other word-final cluster is broken with /ɨ/. Alternatively, a word-final /i/ may be added, especially in loanwords - e.g. ዓቅሊ /ʕakʼli/ "reason, common sense" (from Arabic عقل /ʕaql/). | ||
Within a word, most clusters are allowed in theory. Some clusters do not occur due to coalescence (e.g. ''n, l'' + ''r'' → ''rr''; ''t'' + ''d'' → ''dd'') Guttural consonants do not normally cluster with each other, except in some loanwords (where they often fuse anyway) - e.g. ማዕሃድ /maʕhad/ ''institute'' (also ማሓድ /maħad/). When three or more consonants cluster, they are broken up with /ɨ/ (or sometimes another vowel) - e.g. ጅንግሊዝ /d͡ʒɨŋɡliz/ "English (language)" is actually pronounced [d͡ʒɨŋɡ'''ɨ'''liz]. | |||
Vowels cannot occur in hiatus. When this would happen, they are separated with epenthetic consonants such as /j/, /w/, or /ʔ/. | Vowels cannot occur in hiatus. When this would happen, they are separated with epenthetic consonants such as /j/, /w/, or /ʔ/. |
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