Syllable-Internal Structure in Iranian-Balochi Dialects

DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), vol. 13, pp. 1–28

Abstract

The present article dedicates to studying the syllable-internal structure in three Iranian Balochi dialects (IBDs) namely Mirjaveh Sarhaddi, Sarawani and Lashari dialects. The data analysis will be based on the onset-rhyme theory (e.g., Kurylowicz, 1948; Fudge, 1969; Vergnaud & Halle, 1979; Selkirk, 1982). Moreover, the syllable weight in IBDs will be discussed in the framework of mora theory (Hayes, 1985, 1989). The data have been collected during the research fieldwork in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. The research findings demonstrate that the Balochi language is an example of a nucleus-weight language in which heavy syllables depend on the number of elements in the nucleus. Thus, CV and CVC are light syllables and CVV(C) syllable is counted as heavy syllable. Besides, the context-dependent weight of CVC syllables occurs in IBDs stress pattern system. Studying the syllable contact (word-medial consonant clusters) in IBDs shows that Balochi is among languages that admit all types of heterosyllablic clusters.

Authors 3

1. Bahareh Soohani Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

2. Abbas Ali Ahangar

   University of Sistan and Baluchestan

   Affiliation as printed

   University of sistan and Baluchestan

3. Marc van Oostendorp

   Radboud University Nijmegen

   Affiliation as printed

   Radboud University