Phonology of Deori: an ‘endangered’ language DISSERTATION Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in LINGUISTICS BY PRARTHANA ACHARYYA DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GUWAHATI GUWAHATI, ASSAM - 781039 2019 TH-2450_136141007 DECLARATION This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “Phonology of Deori: an ‘endangered’ language”, submitted by me to the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics, is an authentic work carried out by me under the supervision of Dr. Shakuntala Mahanta. The content of this dissertation, in full or in parts, have not been submitted to any other University or Institute for the award of any degree or diploma. Signature: Prarthana Acharyya Research Scholar Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati - 781039, Assam, India. October, 2019 TH-2450_136141007 CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “Phonology of Deori: an ‘endangered’ language” submitted by Ms. Prarthana Acharyya (Registration Number: 136141007), a research scholar in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics, is a record of an original research work carried out by her under my supervision and guidance. The dissertation has fulfilled all requirements as per the regulations of the institute and in my opinion, has reached the standard needed for submission. The results in this thesis have not been submitted to any other University or Institute for the award of any degree or diploma. Signature: Supervisor: Prof. Shakuntala Mahanta Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati – 781039, Assam, India. October, 2019 TH-2450_136141007 © 2019 PRARTHANA ACHARYYA TH-2450_136141007 Dear FAMILY, this dissertation is for you. I am thankful for your relentless support, love, and understanding. TH-2450_136141007 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Although a dissertation is written by one individual, the process of putting disparate materials into a coherent whole would have been impossible without the generous support of many individuals. I take the opportunity to convey a deep sense of gratitude to all those who helped me, guided me, and supported me immensely in this journey. First and foremost, I would like to thank God for the blessings, strength, and ability, to undertake and complete my Ph.D. study satisfactorily. Secondly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Shakuntala Mahanta for the constant support and valuable advice since the beginning of this journey. Heartfelt thanks for diligently guiding me through the writing of all stages of this dissertation and for your patience in reading multiple drafts of my thesis and for your insightful suggestions. Your constant support and guidance have been indispensable over the years and I am privileged to have you as my supervisor. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Doctoral Committee members - Prof. Sukanya Sharma, Dr. Bidisha Som, and Dr. Priyankoo Sarmah for their insightful suggestions at every stage of this journey. My sincere gratitude is also due to Prof. Mrinal Kanti Dutta, HoD, Department of HSS, IITG, and all other faculty members of the department. I would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the office staff of our department - Durga Sarmah, Parag Kalita, Rubul Gogoi, Khanthai Mala Basumatary. My sincere thanks go to Dr. Bandana Khataniar for the awesome amount of help, mostly during the last few days of my submission. I would also like to thank Prof. Madhumita Barbora, Professor at Tezpur University, for developing my interest in linguistics. Thank you, ma’am, for your support all these years. I am thankful to the speakers of the Deori community who welcomed me into their community and for their extended support. I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to all the Deori speakers for their cooperation and for sparing their valuable time. My sincere thanks to the language consultants (named alphabetically): Achen Deori, Binu Deori, Dilip Deori, Duleshwor Deori, Horen Deori, Kennedy Deori, Khetro Deori, Khogen Deori, Kishore Deori, Nripen Deori, TH-2450_136141007 Rajib Deori, Dr. Soranon Deori for providing me with some valuable insights into the Deori language and their culture. Special thanks to PP lab members. I thank my seniors Dr. Asim-ul Islam Twaha, Dr. Kalyan Das, Dr. Amalesh Gope, Dr. Luke Horo for their valuable advice, suggestions, and most importantly encouragement which helped me immensely. I am profoundly grateful to Dr. Asim- ul Islam Twaha, for his contributions of time and ideas. Sincere thanks to Dr. Amalesh Gope for taking time out of his busy schedule during my visit to Tezpur University. Heartfelt thanks go out to all of my dearest colleagues who provided support, inspiration, and motivation along the way. Leena Dihingia, Prity Raychoudhury, Wendy Lalhminghlui, and Bidisha Boragohain, thank you for your love and selfless support. I thank you for the formative discussions and valuable insights. I am also grateful to Viyazonuo Terhiija, Krishangi Saikia, and Malek Al Hasan for their generosity and support. I have been fortunate to work with you all over the years. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Dr. Sahiinii Lemaina Veikho, for sparing precious time in diligently replying to my emails. Thanks for the interest that you have shown and for all comments and suggestions. Sincere thanks to Tilendra Chaudhary, for helping me at the eleventh hour during the submission of a research paper to a journal. I am most grateful for your kind assistance. I also solicit my gratitude to seasoned musician Dr. Devanand Pathak under whose able guidance I got the opportunity to learn violin in IITG. Thank you, Sir, for your motivation and guidance. Special gratitude to Arati Pathak ma'am, for the hospitality, love, and support. I am also thankful to my violin squad – Swati Sarkar, Shruti Sarma, Saswati Ray, Uddipana Dowerah, Dr. Preetirekha Borgohain, Nilakshi Sharma, Gurpreet Singh, and Pranshu Jangid for being so wonderful and so supportive. Thank you, dearest Swati, for being so nice and injecting positivity in my mind continually. Thank you for lending your ears and offering me advice at the right time. I owe a deep thank you to you. Thank you, Dr. Sharbani Kaushik, Nilankana Das, Neelakshi Yein, Smita Das, Dr. Anamika Kalita, for your kindness and motivation. I will always cherish your contribution to the TH-2450_136141007 successful completion of this thesis. Special thanks to Dr. Sharbani Kaushik for her prompt response to my messages all the time. I am honored to have an eclectic support network in IITG. I thank Bornali Phukan, Dr. Parikshit Gogoi, Mridumoni Phukan, Dr. Aniruddha Gogoi, Manalima Borpatrogogoi for considering me as their family. Special thanks to Bornali Phukan for the support and encouragement. I appreciate your contribution to the completion of this dissertation. Thank you is not enough to express my gratitude for your deed for me over the years. I will always cherish the bond that we share forever. Thank you for your praiseworthy hospitality and the lip- smacking home-cooked food. Sincere thanks to Dr. Parikshit Gogoi for the kind words of encouragement and advice. Thank you, Aron, for being such a bundle of joy. Mahi loves you to infinity. I also thank Ananta Saharia, Mouchumi Gogoi, Pratibha Borah, and Anastasia Borike for their love and support. The love of a family is life’s greatest blessings. I am deeply grateful to my parents for their unwavering support. Thank you, Mrs. Parul Acharyya (Maa) and Mr. Bipul Acharyya (Deuta) for your selfless love, support, and valuable prayers. Every year of my life has taught me to appreciate you more. Thank you Deuta, for accompanying me to field trips in Jorhat, not to protect me, but out of interest to know my work and to meet new people which you love the most. I thank you both for your wise counsel and sympathetic ear. Words would never convey how grateful I am to both of you. My dearest brother, Probal Acharyya, hearty thanks for inspiring and motivating me every single day. I appreciate all that you have done. Thank you for your timeless inspiration and paramount support that has helped me sustain in this journey. I thank my sister-in-law, Mrigakhee Borpuzari, for her love, care, and support in the truest sense. My in-laws, Mrs. Rita Goswami (Maa) and Mr. Basanta Goswami (Papa) thank you for your unconditional love and support in so many forms. I couldn’t have asked for more. Sincere thanks go to my brother-in-law, Dr. Dibyajyoti Goswami, and my sister-in-law, Dr. Mayuri Dutta for their love and support. I am deeply indebted to my relatives - Deben Goswami, Soshi Goswami, Sushil Goswami, Biren Goswami, Rina Goswami, Renu Goswami, and my cousin brother Nayanmoni Goswami for their unconditional love and caring during my visit to Lakhimpur for field trips. Heartfelt TH-2450_136141007 thanks for whatever you have done for me during my stay in Lakhimpur. I am also grateful to my uncle, Mr. Sailen Acharyya, aunt Anjali Acharyya, my cousin (younger) brother Rohan Acharyya, my cousin (elder) brother, Mayur Jyoti Goswami, and my sister-in-law Deepshikha Goswami for the love and support that they have showered upon me all these years. As for my husband, Amarjyoti Goswami, I find it difficult to convey my admiration because it is so boundless. Words fall short to express my gratitude for your contribution to this journey of mine. It has been both of our journeys. I thank you for your steadfast support and contribution towards the successful completion of my dissertation. Whenever the task seemed taxing and insurmountable, your positivity has always encouraged me to never give up.