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Phonological sketch of Mushuau Innu (Davis Inlet Naskapi) Mark Scott A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial filfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Linguistics Memorial University of Newfoundland December 2000 St. John's Newfoundland Abstract The thesis, using data collected by José Mailhot in 1971, sketches the distribution of phones and their assignment to phonemes in the phonology of Mushuau bnu @avis Inlet Naskapi), an Algonquian language spoken in north-eastem Labrador, which belongs to the Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi (CMN) language cornplex. Mushuau Imu phonology is described in linear and non-linear tenns: processes are described in Sound Pattern of English-style phonology; feature-geometry and syllable structure are then used to elucidate these processes further. Metrical theory is used to describe stress assignment. The Obligatory Contour Principle is invoked to explain epenthesis. Sonority Sequencing is used to determine the status (segmental versus cluster) of complex phones. Syllable structure and underspecification are used to account for altemation between [n] and [y]; this alternation is then shown to cause optional insertion of [n] before initial /if (prothetic [n]). Sorne cornparison between the phonologies of Mushuau IMUand related CMN dialects is given. Acknowledgemeats 1 would like to thank José Mailhot for very generously allowing me to use the data she collected in C'tshimassits. I owe an enonnous debt of thanks to my supervisors, Dr. Carrie Dyck and Dr. Marguerite MacKenzie, whose incredible depth of knowledge in their respective fields is matched only by their incrediMe patience, and much patience was required during the production of this thesis. Dr.'s Dyck and MacKenzie provided me with insightfil suggestions and caveats, and helped keep me on track. The members of the Memorial University Linguistics Department have aiways been very helphl, particularly the administrative secretary Colleen Porter, and Dr. Vit Bubenik, Dr. Harold Paddock and Dr. Alex Steinbergs who were always generous with their time; the conversations 1 had with them formed the backbone of my undergraduate and graduate education. Finally 1 would like to thank my parents, whose support was invaluable, and my fiiends, particularly Frank Squires, Curtis Budden and Marlene Power. Table of contents ...................................................................................... iii List of tables ..................................................................................................... vi List of figures................................................................................................ vii List of maps ..................................................................................................... x List of abbreviations and symbob ............................................................. xi 1. Introduction ......................................................................................... 1.1. Overview of thesis .............................................................................. 1.2. Outline of chapters ................................................................... 1.3. Scope and objectives ................................................................... 1.4. Existing literature .............................................................................. 1.5, Cenetic afiïiiition of Mushuau Innu ........................................ 1.5 .1 . Algonquian language family ..................................................... 1.5.2. Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi dialect continuum .................... 1.6. Brief histoy of the Naskapi ....................................................... 1.7. Grammatical overview of Mushuau Innu ....................._.......... 1.7.1. Partsofspeech ................................................................... 1.8. Ovemiew of Proto-Algonquian and CMN phonology .................... 1.8.1. Consonants .............................................................................. 1.8.1.1. Consonant clusters ........................................... 1.8.1.2. Consonant processes ........................................... 1.8.2. Vowels .............................................................................. 1.8.2.1. Vowel processes ........................................... 1.9. Thcotetical assumptions ................................................................. 1.9.1. Feature geometry .................................................................. 1.9.2. Underspecification ................................................................... 1.9.3. Lexical phonology ................................................................... 1.9.4. Obligatory Contour Principle ....................................................... t .9.5. Syiiable theory .................................................................. 1.9.5.1. Sonority sequencing ........................................... 1.9.6. Metrical theory ................................................................... 1.9.6.1. Extrametricality ........................................ 1.10. SigniTicance of proposed research ............................................ 1.1 1. Note on orthography ................................................................... 2. AlIophones and their phonemic aifiliation ............................................ 2.1. Consonants .......................................................................................... Oral stops .............................................................................. 2.1.1.1. Labiais .........................f............................. 2.1.1.2. Apicals ....................................................... 2.1.1.3. Velars ................................................................... 2.1.1.4. Summary ....................................................... Nasals ............................................................................. 2.1.2.1. Labials ....................................................... 2.1.2.2. Apicals ....................................................... 2.1.2.3. Velars ....................................................... Fricatives .............................................................................. 2.1.3.1. Labiais ....................................................... 2.1.3.2. Apicals ...................................................... 2.1.3.3. Velars ........................................................ 2.1.3.4. Glottals ....................................................... Aficates .............................................................................. 2.1.4.1. Apicals ....................................................... Conclusions on consonants ........................................................ 2.1.5.1. Length ........................................................ 2.1 S.2. Voicing ....................................................... 2.1 S.3. Postaspiration ........................................................ 2.1.5.4. Preaspiration ............................. ...................... 2.1.5.5. Labiaiized consonants.......................................... 2.1 S.6. Phonemes ........................................................ Front vowels .............................................................................. 2.2.1.1. High ................................................................... 2.2.1.2. Mid ....................... .... ..................................... Centrai vowels ................................................................... 2.2.2.1. High ................... ... ........................................ 2.2.2.2. Mid ................................................................... 2.2.2.3. Low ................................................................... Back vowels ............................................................................... 2.2.3.1. High ................................................................... 2.2.3.2. Mid ................................................................... 2.2.4. Glides .......................................................................................... 2.2.4.1. Labial ................................................................... 2.2.4.2. Apical ................................................................... 2.2.4.3. Phonemic status of glides ................................ 2.2.5. Conclusions on vowels ....................................................... 2.2.5.1. Length .......................................................