Synchronic and diachronic accounts of phonological features in Central Chumash languages
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Timothy P. Henry
Abstract
Synchronic and diachronic explanations of phonological processes are, by necessity, often treated as mutually exclusive phenomena within any language; we accept that diachronic sound changes are not actively applied to any underlying forms. Extinct languages complicate this arrangement since distinguishing between synchronic and diachronic phonological processes can be difficult without access to native, fluent speakers. In this paper, I examine previously proposed synchronic accounts of several Central Chumash phonological alternations and suggest alternate diachronic explanations. I concur with others (such as Wang 1969) that, when synchronic rules fail to describe a phonology, our concept of sound change must enlarge and allow us to consider the role of diachronic processes in observable synchronic phenomena.
Abstract
Synchronic and diachronic explanations of phonological processes are, by necessity, often treated as mutually exclusive phenomena within any language; we accept that diachronic sound changes are not actively applied to any underlying forms. Extinct languages complicate this arrangement since distinguishing between synchronic and diachronic phonological processes can be difficult without access to native, fluent speakers. In this paper, I examine previously proposed synchronic accounts of several Central Chumash phonological alternations and suggest alternate diachronic explanations. I concur with others (such as Wang 1969) that, when synchronic rules fail to describe a phonology, our concept of sound change must enlarge and allow us to consider the role of diachronic processes in observable synchronic phenomena.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Language contact and change in the Americas 1
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Part I North America: California
- Yuki, Pomoan, Wintun, and Athabaskan 17
- The role of passives in the formation of hierarchical systems in Northern California 33
- Assessing the effects of language contact on Northeastern Pomo 67
- Synchronic and diachronic accounts of phonological features in Central Chumash languages 91
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Part II North America: Athabaskan, Iroquoian, and Uto-Aztecan
- Contact and semantic shift in extreme language endangerment 107
- “Excorporation” in a Dene (Athabaskan) language 139
- Contact and change in Oneida 167
- Huron/Wendat interactions with the Seneca language 189
- The usual suspects 219
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Part III Northern Mexico, Mesoamerica, and South America
- Language documentation and historical linguistics 249
- The Jakaltek Popti’ noun classifier system 273
- Language contact and word structure 297
- Auxiliation and typological shift 315
- Discourse pattern replication in South Conchucos Quechua and Andean Spanish 339
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Part IV The Americas and beyond
- Measuring language typicality, with special reference to the Americas 365
- Words for ‘dog’ as a diagnostic of language contact in the Americas 385
- Index 411
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Language contact and change in the Americas 1
-
Part I North America: California
- Yuki, Pomoan, Wintun, and Athabaskan 17
- The role of passives in the formation of hierarchical systems in Northern California 33
- Assessing the effects of language contact on Northeastern Pomo 67
- Synchronic and diachronic accounts of phonological features in Central Chumash languages 91
-
Part II North America: Athabaskan, Iroquoian, and Uto-Aztecan
- Contact and semantic shift in extreme language endangerment 107
- “Excorporation” in a Dene (Athabaskan) language 139
- Contact and change in Oneida 167
- Huron/Wendat interactions with the Seneca language 189
- The usual suspects 219
-
Part III Northern Mexico, Mesoamerica, and South America
- Language documentation and historical linguistics 249
- The Jakaltek Popti’ noun classifier system 273
- Language contact and word structure 297
- Auxiliation and typological shift 315
- Discourse pattern replication in South Conchucos Quechua and Andean Spanish 339
-
Part IV The Americas and beyond
- Measuring language typicality, with special reference to the Americas 365
- Words for ‘dog’ as a diagnostic of language contact in the Americas 385
- Index 411
