An Autosegmental Approach to Shilluk Phonology (SIL International and the University of Texas at Arlington Publications in Linguistics, Vol 103)

Shilluk is a Western Nilotic language spoken in southern Sudan. In this study, by using an autosegmental approach, which is based on lexical phonology, the author has been able to analyze the vowel and consonant harmony systems, the tonal system, and the syllable structure of the Shilluk language. Other matters dealt with include the issue of independent representations in connection with discussion of syllable structure, and the order of levels within the lexicon.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Symbols
Preface
Acknowledgments

1. Introduction

1.1 Phonemics
1.2 Generative phonology
1.3 Lexical phonology
1.4 Nonlinear phonology
1.5 Underspecification theory
1.6 Overview

2. Phonetics, Phonemics, and Postlexical Phonology

2.1 Phonetic inventory
2.2 Classificatory features
2.3 Redundancy rules
2.4 Nonlinear analysis
2.5 Phonetic tone
2.6 Interpretation of tone
2.7 Underspecification and tone
2.8 Principles of association
2.9 Conclusion

3. Representation of Lexical Items

3.1 Syntax
3.2 Lexical items
3.3 Underlying representation

4. Shilluk Syllable Structure

4.1 Surface overview
4.2 Syllable structure tier
4.3 Syllable template
4.4 Restrictions and constraints
4.5 Application of syllable structure
4.6 Plural forms
4.7 Verbs and syllable structure
4.8 Morphology
4.9 Summary

5. Lexical Levels of Derivation

5.1 Tone
5.2 Harmony systems
5.3 Inflected singular nouns
5.4 Summary of levels and rules

6 Summary and Conclusions

6.1 Advantages of generative phonology
6.2 Independent underlying representations
6.3 Implications for language learning
6.4 Syllable structure
6.5 Composition of Shilluk words
6.6 Features and feature assignments
6.7 The lexicon
6.8 Postlexical level
6.9 Further research

References