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Re: I need an artist ::: and articles

From:Kristian Jensen <kljensen@...>
Date:Wednesday, January 20, 1999, 22:42
Jown Cowan wrote:

>Raymond A. Brown wrote: > >> I'm wondering if we should not only accept the [E@] analysis of >> 'hair' but also analyze 'part' as [pA@t] and 'saw' as [sO@]. > >Is this meant to be phonetic, or phonemic? > >In a non-rhotic American dialect I'm familiar with (but don't >speak), [sO] = saw, but [sO@] = soar. I've never heard >anyone say [pa@t] and would probably hear it as an extreme >non-rhotic version of "parrot".
Attempting to use /@/ as a semivowel reminds me of how I have analyzed Boreanesian long vowels and diphthongs. There are four basic vowels: /a/ /@/ /i/ /u/. These can be closed phonemically by five coda consonants. Three of these codas are semivowels which I'll represent as follows: /i/ /@/ /u/. Combining the four vowels with the three semivowels we can obtain the following grid: /ai/ /a@/ /au/ /@i/ /@@/ /@u/ /ii/ /i@/ /iu/ /ui/ /u@/ /uu/ The most notable phonological process that dictates how these combinations are articulated is the assimilation of vowels and semivowels: A front vowel /i/ followed by a front semivowel /i/ becomes a long front vowel [i:]. Central vowels /@/ or /a/ followed by a central semivowel /@/ become long central vowels [@:] [a:]. A back vowel /u/ followed by a back semivowel /u/ becomes a long back vowel [u:]. Thus, the grid of 12 combinations given previously phonetically reveals 4 long vowels and 8 diphthongs as follows: [aj] [a:] [aw] [@j] [@:] [@w] [i:] [i@] [iw] [uj] [u@] [u:] There are of course dialectal differences. The diphthongs /i@/ and /u@/ are pronounced as long vowels [i:] and [u:] in some Boreanesian dialects. This is similar to the differences I have heard in the 'Down-Under' English dialects (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa). Some pronounce 'beer' as [bi@], others as [bi:]. Some pronounce 'sure' as [Su@], others as [Su:]. Regards, -Kristian- 8-)