Vowel Harmony in Nivkh

Oxford University Press eBooks, pp. 799–805

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines the synchronic distribution of vowels in Nivkh, a linguistic isolate spoken in the Russian Far East. The data show that vowels in Nivkh roots are subject to what is known as a height restriction: A vowel in an unstressed syllable can be mid or low only if the vowel in the preceding stressed syllable is also mid or low. The chapter goes on to assess the evidence that exists for an earlier system of vowel harmony, some remnants of which can be seen in prefix-root domains. The available evidence is compatible with both a height and a tongue-root harmony system.

Authors 2

1. Bert Botma Aachen Linguistics

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Linguistics, Leiden University Centre for Linguistics, The Netherlands

2. Hidetoshi Shiraishi

   Sapporo Gakuin University

   Affiliation as printed

   Sapporo Gakuin University, Japan