Abstract
M.A. (African Languages)
The phonological system of Zulu does not tolerate consecutive vowels
in one word while, with specific conditions, only certain consonant
combinations and consonant-vowel combinations are permissible. Morphonological
adjustments such as glide insertion, vowel coalescence
and semi vocalization are therefore utilized to avoid the accumulation
of vowels. Where consonants are brought together by morpheme combinations,
morphonological adjustments such as nasalization occur to
avoid the impermissible consonant groups. Adjustments such as palatalization
are the result of the impermissible combinations of certain
consonants and (one or more) vowels and/or semivowels.
This study aims at analysing some known morphonological phenomena
in Zulu from a generative-phonological point of view. It involves
mainly the construction and formulation of a number of morphonological
rules for Zulu within the framework of the transformational generative
(T.G.) phonology. The study is purely introductory and does not
claim that all relevant material has been fully analysed and exhausted.
The point of departure is that of Chomsky and Halle in their Sound
Patterns in English (SPE).
Chapter one defines the concept of phonological processes, states
the conditions for acceptable phonological rules and supplies definitions
of features employed to describe the segments of Zulu.
Chapter two identifies the underlying segments of Zulu, i. e. vowels,
consonants, "impure" consonants (so-called liquids) and semi-vowels.
Characteristics of the underlying segments are presented in a table.
Through the formulation of redundancy rules those features of segments
which systematically correspond with other features are eliminated
and lexical versions of the underlying segments are determined.
In chapter three the processes of glide
vowel coalescence which relate to
insertion, semi vocalization
an impermissible series of
vowels are discussed and summarized in rules.