Iynevonian Phonology
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This public article was written by [Deactivated User], and last updated on 8 May 2017, 20:38.
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This article is a work in progress! Check back later in case any changes have occurred.
This article is a work in progress! Check back later in case any changes have occurred.
[top]Consonants
Iynevonian has a two-way distinction between stops and aspirated stops:
p => pʰ
t̪ => t̪ʰ
k => kʰ
t͡ʃ => t͡ʃʰ
t͡s => t͡sʰ
The above happens when the sonorant consonants [ l, r, b, m, n, w, ʔ as well as 'the creaky vowels'] follow them in the accented syllable. Not all words follow these rules and other words are solely spelled with aspirated stops. For these reasons, the aspirated consonantal counterparts have gained their own independent presence bearing phonemic status in the Iynovianian language.
At the end of a syllable inunstressed position, voiced consonants and aspirated consonants become voiceless and non-aspirated (this is not indicated in spelling; in educated and careful speech this change does not occur). The opposite also happens for certain groups of voiced into voiceless and not others:
b => p (ending in p can be pronounced b)
d => t (words ending in t do not get pronounced like d)
g = k (the distribution of g~k can get odd as there are different variations of this sound)
v = f / ɸ (if a syllable ends in f it is pronounced v)
ɣ = x (depends on distribution)
These sound changes are restricted when they occur between vowels whether or not they are stressed the change does not occur.
A glottal stop is not indicated in spelling since it is predictable and systematic. A glottal stop occurs in these instances:
In words that start with a vowel
In words that start with a prefix followed by a verb that starts with a vowel
In words that end with a suffix preceded by a verb that ends in a vowel
If two vowels are together that are not diphthongs a glottal stop occurs between the two vowels
But a glottal stop is upheld in these instances:
If an /ħ/ is within the same syllable as the glottal stop. In instances where an /h/ occurs the pronunciation changes to /ħ/.
It does not occur in the same syllable as "creaky voiced" vowels.
Assimilation
/n/ before /b/ , /p/ and /m/ => mb, mp, mm
In instances where an /h/ occurs in same syllable as a glottal stop the pronunciation changes to /ħ/
/s/ next to /ʃ/ or in same syllable => s ~ ʃ
Debuccalization of final syllabic Ⲧ
< Ⲧ > has two approximate pronunciations:
Beginning a syllable it is pronounced /t̪/
End of syllable it tends to be aspirated /tʰ/ and is not indicated in spelling as such. In most cases the sound debuccalizes or is elided to / ʰ /.
In between vowels < Ⲧ > is automatically aspirated /tʰ/ and is not indicated by spelling
When a word is spelled with < Ҭ > ~ /tʰ/ it follows same rules as if it was < Ⲧ > but with aspiration. at the end of a syllable preceding a vowel /tʰ/ can be elided to / ʰ /.
[top]Vowels
Iynevonian vowels exhibit a complex, rich inventory and have undergone instabilities dependent on specific environments which can sometimes alter spellings for the same word causing one word to have more than spelling.
Emphasis Spreading
/u & o/ cause alterations in words, under the following circumstances:
Cu/oC + (C)u(C) or (C)o(C) => stays the same
CuCa/i/e/oC + (C)u(C) => stays the same
Ca/i/e/ɯC + (C)u(C) or (C)o)C) => affixal vocalic < Ⲩ > and < O > changes to < Ⲏ >
Cu/oC + (C)a/e/i/o(C) => u / o changes to Ⲏ
Emphasis spreading only occurs when affixes and words are placed together to form one mechanical [compound] word. There are words which naturally break vowel harmony and in such case emphasis spreading is not necessary.
The standard pronunciation of [ i => ɪ, as in English word 'sit'] but it is generally pronounced [ i = in 'machine' in stressed syllable and when ending a word]. In an unstressed syllable [ ɪ ] is generally pronounced /ɛ , ɜ , e̞ , i or ə/. This is not indicated in spelling.
Unstressed < Ⲁ > is /shwa/.
other Vowel Rules
All vowels can mimic the 'voicelessness' of a voiceless consonant /p t k ç ts x/ if it is in the same syllable between two voiceless stops or it ends a word that is following a voiceless stop... This is popular among vulgar/colloquial speech, it is especially exaggerated when angry, frustrated, irritated or stressed.
/ʋ/ has several allophones depending on context.
Before a vowel, pronunciation is labiodental, [ʋ] (also described as [v])
After a vowel (ending in an unstressed syllable), enunciation is devoiced to [f / ɸ] but this is retained if a voiced consonant follows.
Each vowel has a 'creaky voiced' counterpart which is always indicated orthographically.
Vowels are nasalized before /n/ but this is not indicated in spelling.
/ə, ɛ, ɜ/ are considered allophones and are never used in stressed position regardless of their orthographic variations: < ` jinkim > , < Ⲉ > and < Ⲁ >. The only allophone which is used in stressed position is < i >.
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