1 The influence of syntax on the Morpho - Phonology of Agni 1 - Reminder: Explanation of the monosyllabic terms The monosyllabic terms are really bisyllabic of the form [ CV1CV2 ] . When the OCP (Obligatory Contour Principle) applies to CV1V2 (V1=V2 (vowels and tones are identical)) V1 is deleted and we have CV
X
X
X
X → X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
|
c1
v1
c2
v2
c1
→
X
X
X
|
|
C
V
|
|
|
v2
c
v
C
X V
| ø
This explanation allows us to understand bisyllabic verbs in the rest of the analysis. This phenomenon was already the object of study in a previous article (KEITA Mamadou Mémoire de DEA Paris 2000). On the surface we have a form [ CV ] which is in fact a hiatus [ CVV ]. The two vowels are identical; they also have the same tone. The first vowel V1 is deleted, because is governed by the last vowel V2. The consonant in initial position C1 migrates to the empty position of the consonant C2 in intervocalic position (not governed). NB: in Agni, all of the terms are bisyllabic. The case of the monosyllabic terms on the surface shows it. The terms of more than two syllables are treated by the language as compounds (See vocalic harmony in Agni KEITA Mamadou Paris 2001) The analysis of the interweaving of syntax - morphophonology in the morphological variations is based on the phenomena occurring in conjugate forms. To understand the bisyllabic verbs in the analysis, let us conjugate monosyllabic verbs and bisyllabic verbs, in the Perfective and Imperfective, Negative or not non-Negative with representations which, made explicit afterwards.
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
2 2 - Imperfective 3 - Non - Negative Imperfective 4 - Monosyllabic verbs 5 - [ t ] « To buy »
[ t ] « You buy »
+/- Perfective and /or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
t
The shape of underlying form is preserved. There is no consonantal or morphological variation. 6 - [ k] « To go »
[ k ] « You go »
+/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
k
The shape of underlying form is preserved. There is no consonantal or morphological variation. 7 - Bisyllabic verbs 8 - [ tútú] « To tear »
[ é tútú ]
« You tear »
+/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
t
u
t
u
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
3 9 - [ kúkú] « To carry »
[ é kúkú ] « You carry »
+/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
k
u
k
u
In the Non - Negative Imperfective, no variation is observed. From the syntactic point of view, there is no new information. These observations suggest that Non - Negative Imperfective is the underlying form (Without semantic considerations). 10 - Negative Imperfective 11 - Monosyllabic verbs [ nd m ] « You don’t buy »
12 - [ t ] « To buy »
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V →
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
|
|
N
t
N
t
13 - [ k ] « To go »
[ g m ] « You don’t go »
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V →
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
|
|
N
k
N
k
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
4 As seen in the explanation of the monosyllabic terms, there is an empty [CV] initially. The negation positions is appears on the empty initial [CV], having exactly for role, here, which has the function of receiving the mark of the negation or the Perfective. However, the initial [CV] of the monosyllabic verb being empty, the nasal consonant of the negation migrates to the consonant position of the initial empty [CV] of the monosyllabic verb. There is harmonization of the features between the nasal consonant and the consonant of the verb. (See harmonization of the complex [NC]) (Next 36) 14 - Bisyllabic verbs 15 - [ tútú] « To tear » [ é ndútú m ] « You don’t tear » +/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
↑
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N
t
u
t
u
N
t
u
→
t
u
16 - [ kúkú] « To carry » [ é gúkú m ] « You don’t carry » +/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
↑
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N
k
u
k
u
N
k
u
k
u
→
For the bisyllabic terms, the nasal consonant of the negation occupies the place which has been made available to it, that is the empty initial position. The harmonization takes place in the same way as for the monosyllabics terms. (See harmonization of the complex [NC]) (Next 36)
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
5 17 - Perfective 18 - Non - Negative Perfective 19 - Monosyllabic verbs 20 - [t] « To buy »
[ tt l ] « You bought »
+/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V → C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
|
t
t
t
→
| t
In the Perfective, we have a geminate consonant which appears. The consonant of the monosyllabic verb links to the empty initial position. We seemingly have no mark of the Perfective in the place capable of receiving it, the empty initial position. However, the morpheme of the Perfective [l] always appears after the verb. It is obligatory. 21 - [ k] « To go »
[ h l ]
« You went »
Observed: +/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
k
h
→
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
6 Expected: +/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V → C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
|
k
k
k
→
| k
For the verb « To go » [ k ], In the Perfective, we have the velar consonant [ k ] which becomes [ h ], but not the geminate consonant expected with the consonant [ t ]. This variation is apparently a function of the consonant quality. Thus, let us examine the other consonants in the monosyllabic terms appearing in the initial position. 22 - Table of the consonantal variation in the Perfective of the monosyllabic verbs
[ p ]
To struggle
[ pp l ]
You struggled
p → pp
[ kp ]
[ kp ]
To detest
[ kpkp l ]
You detested
kp → kpkp
[b]
[ b ]
To beat
[ bbl ]
You beat
b → bb
[t]
[ t ]
To buy
[ tt l ]
You bought
t → tt
[d]
[ dí ]
To eat
[ lí l ]
You ate
d→l
[k]
[ k ]
To go
[ h l ]
You went
k→h
[c]
[ c ]
To catch
[ h l ]
You caught
c→h
[J]
[ Jú ]
To arrive
[ JJú l ]
You arrived
J → JJ
[f]
[ fí ]
To be Clean
[ ffí l ]
You was clean
f → ff
[s]
[ s ]
To light
[ ss l ]
You lit
s → ss
[j]
[ j ]
To make
[ jj l ]
You made
j → jj
[w]
[ wú ]
To die
[ wwú l ]
You die
w → ww
[m]
[ m ]
To swallow
[ mm l ]
You swallowed
m → mm
[n]
[ n ]
To drink
[ nn l ]
You drank
n → nn
[]
[ ]
To get
[ l ]
You got
→
[]
[ wú ]
To swell
[ wú l ]
You swelled
→
[p]
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
7 All of the monosyllabic terms behave in the same way, which is the first consonant geminate with the exception of three consonants [ k ], [ c ] and [ d ]. In the Perfective [ k ] → [ h ] - [ c ] → [ h ] - [ d ] → [ l ] [ k ] and [ c ] are in complementary distribution[ k ] appears in front of the velars vowels and [ c ] in front of palatals vowels. (See distribution of consonants Agni KEITA Mamadou DEA Paris 2000). They are thus identical: / K / → [ k ] / - velars vowels / K / → [ c ] / - palatals vowels What explains the same behavior in the Perfective of these two consonants? We shall draw discuss the implications of this unexpected phenomenon after having looked at the bisyllabic terms. 23 - Bisyllabic verbs 24 - [ tútú ] « To tear » [ é tútú l ] « You tore » +/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
t
u
t
u
25 - [ kúkú ] « To carry» [ é kúkú l ] « You crried » +/- Perfective and/or Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
k
u
k
u
In the bisyllabic terms, there is no variation. We do not have a geminate in the initial empty position, which in theory may receive the mark of the Perfective. © MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
8 The Perfective is not thus the gemination of the first consonant of the verb? What is thus the link in the Perfective between the monosyllabic terms and the bisyllabic terms? Observations: In the Perfective, for the monosyllabic terms as well as for the bisyllabic terms, we have two syllables [ CVCV ], thus a bisyllabic term. The Perfective would be thus a gabaritic constraint? A constraint which would force two [CV]. If yes, a monosyllabic term would become a bisyllabic and a bisyllabic term would remain intact as noticed. If the Perfective is a gabaritic constraint, to have at most two [CV], the prediction would be that in the negation, the morpheme [ N ], the nasal consonant, mark of the negation could not appear in the position which is attributed to it in the Imperfective. Let us see Negative Perfective 26 - Negative Perfective 27 - Monosyllabic verbs 28 - [ t ] « to buy »
[ tt l m ] « You didn’t buy »
Perfective and Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
t
N
→
| t
Negative Perfective and Non-Negative Perfective are identical.
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
9 29 - [ k ] « To go »
[ h l m ]
« You didn’t go »
Observed: Perfective and Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
k
h
N
→
Expected: Perfective and Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
k
N
→
| k
In Negative Perfective, the prediction is confirmed, the consonant of the monosyllabic term geminate. The size is affected; the nasal consonant of the negation can’t arise. But in the case of [ k ] « To go » [ h l m ] « You didn’t go », we seem to have a place for the nasal consonant of the negation. Why the mark of the negation can appear? If the Perfective is a gabaritic constraint, to have most two [ CV ], then in the Perfective of [ k ] → [ h ], we have two [ CV ]. As in the monosyllabic terms, we have gemination of the first consonant, then [ h ] is a geminate consonant. And as [ h ] is derived from [ k ], we can say that the geminate of [ k ] is [ h ]. / kk / → [ h ]. Also for [ c ] which is in complementary distribution with [ k ]. / cc / → [ h ]. The consonant [ h ] exists nowhere in the language, other than in this configuration. There is no ambiguity for the speaker. Every time we have [ h ], he or she knows that it is / kk /. We also have [ d ] which becomes [ l ] in the Perfective. The geminate of [ d ] is thus [ l ]. / dd / → [ l ]. © MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
10 We have [ l ] only in the morpheme of the Perfective. It does not appear in the initial position of any verb. (Except for a noun [ l ] thought), only one name in Agni (in my corpus) We have it in a single configuration, in the intervocalic position of bisyllabic verbs. In this configuration [ CVlV ], there is contraction and we always have [ CrV ]. The contracted shape [ CrV ] is the natural shape. The long shape is used only to place emphasis. There too, there is no ambiguity. 30 - Bisyllabic verbs 31 - [ tútú ] « To tear »
[ é tútú l m ] « You didn’t tear »
Perfective and Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
t
u
t
u
u
t
u
N
32 - [ kúkú ] « To carry »
→
t
[ é kúkú l m ] « You didn’t carry »
Perfective and Negation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k
u
k
u
k
u
k
u
N
→
As in the monosyllabic terms, the gabaritic constraint is applied. With the bisyllabic terms both [ CV ] syllables are affected. There is thus no geminate and the nasal consonant of the negation can’t arise.
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
11 33 - Let us summarize in a table the reports of the conjugation. Imperfective
Imperfective
Perfective
Perfective
Non Negative
Negative
Non Negative
Negative
[CV]CV CV
NCV
C V CV
C V CV
CVCV
NCVCV
CVCV
CVCV
CVCV
The table shows us that there is an asymmetry between the Imperfective and the Perfective. In the Imperfective, there is conservation of the shape of origin while in the Perfective; all of the forms are bisyllabic. In Perfective (carried), the morpheme of the negation pre posed doesn’t appear. From this observation, the rules of the negation and the Perfective are revealed. 34 - The rules of the Perfective and the negation 35 - Negation The negation is an intermittent negation. A nasal consonant is pre-posed to the verb and the morpheme [ m ] is post posed. Negation = [ N [ verb ] m ] In the case of the monosyllabic terms on the surface, there is movement of the consonant to a moved position (See explanation of the monosyllabic terms 1). This process takes place only in the Imperfective. We shall see that in the Perfective, the negation shows itself only by the morpheme [ m]. The negation and the Perfective are in competition as for the occupation of the empty initial position. In the Perfective, the negation is perceptible only by the morpheme [m] Post posed, not after the verb, but always after the morpheme of the Perfective, [l]. (See plan) Plan + /-Perfective and/or Negation Perfective
Verb X
X
|
|
C |
[ X
[X
X ]
Negation
X
X
X ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
C
V
|
|
|
|
|
[[Perf. or Neg.]
c
v
c
v
l
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
[X
X ]
m ]
12 36 - Harmonization of the complex [ NC ] in Negative Imperfective The nasal consonant and the first consonant of the verb harmonize. They can give only a single feature at the same moment. Consonants exchange features. The nasal consonant is always nasal and voiced. The consonant of the verb always has its articulation point. It can be voiced or voiceless Let us see in a table the consonants of Agni and their main characteristics. 37 - Characteristics of the Agni consonants Table Articulation point Labials
Dentals
Velars
Palatals
Nasals
[p]
+
-
-
-
-
[b]
+
-
-
-
-
+
[t]
-
+
-
-
-
-
[d]
-
+
-
-
-
+
[k]
-
-
+
-
-
-
[g]
-
-
+
-
-
+
[c]
-
-
-
+
-
-
[J]
-
-
-
+
-
+
[f]
-
+
-
-
-
-
[v]
-
+
-
-
-
+
[s]
-
+
-
-
-
-
[z]
-
+
-
-
-
+
[j]
-
-
-
+
-
+
[w]
-
-
+
-
-
+
[m]
+
-
-
-
+
+
[n]
-
+
-
-
+
+
[]
-
-
-
+
+
+
[]
-
-
+
-
+
+
The nasal consonant of the negation is by definition: N = { - articulation point, + Voiced, + Nasal} In Agni all of the nasal consonants are voiced. And all consonant are not nasal by definition: C = { + articulation point , +/-Voiced, - Nasal} © MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
Voiced
13 How does the nasalization in Negative Imperfective and in Negative Perfective take place? The nasalization of the first consonant of the verb is one of the characteristics of the negation in the Imperfective in Agni. The initial position free of other elements, can thus receive the nasal consonant of the negation. In the bisyllabic case, it appoints and harmonizes with the first consonant of the verb. In the monosyllabic case, the consonant links to the first position [ CV ] of the verb which is empty and harmonizes with the final consonant of the [ CV ]. In the Perfective, all of the positions are occupied because of the gabaritic constraint in the perfective. This is the reason for which there can be no nasalization. 38 - Perfective The Perfective shows itself by a gabaritic constraint and a morpheme [ l ] post-posed. When the term is monosyllabic, there is reduplication of the consonant to give a geminate [ CCV ]. The maximal number of syllables of the form [ CV ] is two [ CVCV ]. Thus, in the bisyllabic terms, there is no duplication (gemination) of the initial consonant, because there are already two [ CV ]. 39 - The morpheme (parameter or rule) of the Perfective is a gabaritic constraint. The Perfective form has to perform two [ CV ] 40 - A consonant [ k ] geminate / kk / shows itself as [ h ]. We can deduce mechanically that [ h ] is a geminate, because [ h ] exists nowhere else in the language. The same phenomenon for [ d ] geminate / dd / shows up as [ l ] on the surface. [ l ] is also realized nowhere else in the language. 41 – Compete [competition] between Negation and perfective as for the occupation of the empty initial position Between the Perfective and the negation, we have a pre-defined order. The Perfective before the negation, probably a semantic constraint (It is all of the action which is negated). We thus have the rule of the Perfective which applies and then that of the negation. The Perfective shows itself by the occupation of the empty initial position and by the morpheme [ l ] Post - posed to the verb, to limit the number of syllables to two (Gabaritic constraint). In Negative Perfective, the initial position being occupied by the mark of Perfective, the effect of the negation cannot show itself, whether it is for the monosyllabic terms or bisyllabic.
© MAMADOU KEITA UFR Linguistique CNRS LLF Université Paris VII Denis-Diderot
