Vokaalverandering en die verskuiwende aksent
Abstract
The phonetic aspects concerned with the well-nigh universal phenomenon that vowels in unstressed syllables are often subject to Change, have been investigated in this study
with reference to morphologically related Afrikaans word-couples of the type ['me:dis - mada'seina]. An acoustic-auditory based articulatory vowel classification had to be drawn in place of the outmoded Jonesonian
classification. Contrary to prevailing views it has been found that all Afrikaans vowels can be modified (neutralised) to [a], but then with obvious degrees of difference. Neutralisation of rounded dorsal vowels [o, o, u] occur far less fraquently than neutralisation of frontal vowels [i, e l e]. No word-couple could be found where [u>a], and as regards [o] and [o], only one each, viz ., [kole'nes] and [kole'sa:l]. The [e] is modified to [i] (frontalisation) in examples
like ['e:tar - i'te:ris]. Medialising of [o>u.], compare [ sko:l - sku'li:r], is an Afrikaans phonetic phenomenon which occurs much more consistently than the neutralisation of any vowel. In sub-stressed and unstressed syllables, [o] and [u] interchange, compare [profa'te:r - pru'fe:tJ. [u] and raveal almost total and [i, o] and [a] strong resistance to syllable nuclear change, while especially [e]
and [0 J but al 0 [E J are easily modifiable, except, among
others, in words where a shift of stress is not accompanied
by a regrouping of phonen in
syllables and no nuclear changes
whatsoever occur.
The most elementary mechanism basic to nuclear change is
the transsyllabic anticipation and retention in the pharynx
and lips. Additional relevant factors are the articulatory
nature of the syllable-nucleus concerned, the dominant
nature of the rounded lip-shape, the spread of syllablenuclei
in the word and the need of natural muscular coordination.
Acceleration and reduction of intensity in the unstressed
syllables are the only properties of stress which further
nuclear variation. If it is true that neutralisation
occurs more in Afrikaans than in other languages, then the
Afrikaans articulation basis is conducive to this phenomenon
of nuclear variation.,
With the exception of medialisation, influence of
English promotes nuclear variation in Afrikaans; the particular
tendency to modify is, however, latently present in
the articulation of Afrikaans.
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