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Lexical Phonology
Lexical Phonology
Igbo
By
Wayatarhom.unn.edu.ng/ Wayatarhom68@gmail.com
Abstract
This paper examines the theory of lexical phonology as it deals with the relationship
among phonology, morphology and lexicon. The study considers the nature of lexical
phonology as developed by Paul kiparsky and Mohanan, k.P in early 1980s as background.
It basic claim is that, morphological processes and many phonological rules are carried out
at the lexicon. We therefore implore a descriptive approach in evaluating the wider context
use of lexical phonology. Since lexical phonology is a theory about the organization of
grammar, we delves on the lexical and post-lexical rules, the former interact with
morphological processes while the later is that which apply in constituent larger than word.
The study explains three levels of lexical phonology: levels1, 2 and the post- lexical level
to account for the simple past and past perfect tenses in Tiv and Igbo respectively. In light
of the foregoing, we noticed that the morphological and phonological rules are paired at
various levels, in which the lexical rules are cyclic in nature while the post lexical level is
discovers not being cyclical. The Tiv simple past tense uses prefix while the Igbo shows
suffix. The past perfect tense in Tiv and Igbo indicates the use of prefix and relatively two
suffixes in its formation. In summary, the theory of lexical phonology is considered
important in the formation of different words and larger structures in languages.
light
/‘medsn/ /me’disinl/
accident accidental
heavy
/æksi’dent/ /æksi’dentl
3.1 Using the Lexical Phonology to Account for Simple Past and Past Perfect
Tenses in Tiv and Igbo
In English language, the [-ed] is use as past tense marker. It is
attached to root word based on some morphological and phonological rules which
operate cyclically. [-ed] may be realized as
[-t] occurs after a voiceless sound exception of ’t’
[-d] occurs after a voiced sound
[-id] occurs after‘t’ or ‘d’ speech sound
Following the rules of word formation in lexical phonology as studied by Katamba
(1989:258) thus: morphology;
Insert A/ [y-z] x apply relevant phonological rules.
In English, the plural formation of noun takes different form depending on the type of
noun whose plurals are being formed.
(a) The regular plural nouns is with plural marker /-s/ which may be realized
differently as;
[-s] occur after voiceless
[-z] occurs after voiced which are not sibilant
[-iz] occurs after sibilant sounds
Lexical rule: Insert plural /[y-]n apply rule in phonological rules
(b) formation of irregular plural norms as –ren, -a, -i,
(c) Inherent, plural nouns which occurs as underived lexical items in the lexicon.
We can now illustrate these ideas in Tiv and Igbo respectively.
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