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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 | The maximum allowed syllable structure is CRVC word-medially and CRVCC word-finally (C = consonant, R = glide/liquid, V = vowel or diphthong). 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: | ||
*Any geminate consonant (except uvular, pharyngeal, and glottal consonants, which cannot geminate in any position) | *Any geminate consonant (except uvular, pharyngeal, and glottal consonants, which cannot geminate in any position) | ||
*Sonorant + non-glottal obstruent - e.g. /nt, mpʼ, ls/ | *Sonorant + non-glottal obstruent - e.g. /nt, mpʼ, ls/ | ||
* | *Velar/guttural (non-labialized) or labial obstruent + coronal obstruent or /ʃ/ - e.g. /bd, kʼt, ħʃ, ʔs/ | ||
* | *Fricative (non-labialized) + stop - e.g. /st, ftʼ, ʃkʼ/ - EXCEPTION: /f/ cannot be followed by a labial stop | ||
Any other word-final cluster is broken with /ɨ/. Alternatively, a word-final /i/ may be added, especially in loanwords - e.g. ዓቅሊ ''qhaqli'' /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 ''qhaqli'' /ʕakʼli/ "reason, common sense" (from Arabic عقل /ʕaql/). Note that the glides ''y'' and ''w'' do not fall under these restrictions and are treated as part of the syllable nucleus. | ||
Word-initially, a consonant can cluster with ''l, r, y,'' or ''w''. Other word-initial clusters in loanwords are resolved through various means. | Word-initially, a consonant can cluster with ''l, r, y,'' or ''w''. Other word-initial clusters in loanwords are resolved through various means. | ||
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Within a word, most two-consonant clusters are allowed in theory. Some clusters do not occur due to coalescence (e.g. ''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 ''maqh'had'' /maʕhad/ "institute" (also ማሓድ ''mahhad'' /maħad/). | Within a word, most two-consonant clusters are allowed in theory. Some clusters do not occur due to coalescence (e.g. ''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 ''maqh'had'' /maʕhad/ "institute" (also ማሓድ ''mahhad'' /maħad/). | ||
Three-consonant clusters are allowed word-medially if they fulfill at least one of the following conditions: | |||
*The first two consonants follow the same restrictions as word-final clusters, and the third is ''l, r, y,'' or ''w'' - e.g. ጅንግሊዝ ''Jïn'gliz'' /d͡ʒɨŋɡliz/ "English (language)". | |||
*Sonorant (not including glides) + homorganic obstruent + non-homorganic obstruent - e.g. /mpt, ŋks, nt͡ʃk/ | |||
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/. | ||