Kera tone and voicing

Statement of Responsibility: 
Pearce, Mary
Authors: 
Issue Date: 
2005
Is Part Of Series: 
UCL Working papers in linguistics 17
Extent: 
pages 61-82
Abstract: 
Kera (a Chadic language) has been cited as one of a handful of languages which exhibit long distance voicing harmony between consonants (Rose and Walker 2001, Odden 1994). It has also been claimed that Kera voiced ('depressor') consonants lower the tone of the following syllable (Ebert 1979, Wolff 1987a, Pearce 1998). This paper addresses both of these claims, showing with recordings, pitch tracks and acoustic measurements that although the synchronic phonology includes consonant and tone interaction, it is the tones that are underlying and distinct. It also shows that the controversial account of voice spreading is no longer necessary as the facts can be adequately accounted for by tone spreading, and by voice onset times that correspond to the tone.
Publication Status: 
Published
Country: 
Chad
Subject Languages: 
Content Language: 
Field: 
Work Type: 
Nature of Work: 
Is Part Of: 
Pearce, Mary and Nina Topintzi, editors
2005
Entry Number: 
3255