Mid-toned and high-toned elements in Yoruba
This paper examines three M-toned and three H-toned elements in Yoruba. On the one hand are the mid-toned mora (MT/-l), the mid-toned ni and the mid-toned ti. On the other hand are the H-toned mora (HT/-l), the H-toned nl and the H-toned 6. I propose that the parallels between these elements are syn...
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| Format: | article |
| Language: | EN FR |
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LibraryPress@UF
2007
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doaj.org/article/e37c5503834d4160a963a97d2cf6cf98 |
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| Summary: | This paper examines three M-toned and three H-toned elements in Yoruba. On the one hand are the mid-toned mora (MT/-l), the mid-toned ni and the mid-toned ti. On the other hand are the H-toned mora (HT/-l), the H-toned nl and the H-toned 6. I propose that the parallels between these elements are syntactically and semantically conditioned. Every occurrence of a M-toned element shows agreement in the nominal domain whereas every occurrence of a H-toned element shows agreement in the verbal or extended verbal domain. I show that the pairs converge in their semantic role as case assigners. In particular, I claim that genitive Case assignment is carried out by the MT/-l or ti. I treat this as an instance of Case alternation. I further propose that when the two jointly assign genitive Case to the possessor, this is an instance of Case stacking. |
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