A generative account of consonant alternations in Baba 1

Abstract

This paper analyses and accounts for various patterns of alternations exhibited by consonants as they interact within morphemes in Baba I. Most of the alternations manifested by the consonantal segments of this language are in accordance with general phonological principles. Nevertheless, there are some apparently complex alternations that may not be sufficiently accounted for using simple phonetic logic, and that exhibits some typological novelties, which may be of some theoretical interest to specialists in the field. Moreover, the underlying consonant system of this language constitutes a typological curiosity rarely documented in the world's languages. The contrast between voiced and voiceless consonants is highly restricted, appearing only with labio-dental, but never alveolar sounds.