Dissimilation is a phonological process. In assimilation sounds become more similar to one another. In dissimilation, however, the reverse occurs- sounds become less similar from one another.
In Kurundi, an African language spoken in Burundi, a consonant in the prefix must disagree in voicing with a the first consonant of the root to which it is attached. The rule can be states as follows:
A voiced root initial segment requires a voiceless consonant in the prefix and a voiceless root initial segment requires a voiced consonant in the prefix. The data illustrates this:
Imperative
rya eat
1st person singular present
tu-rya
Imperative
mwa shave
1st person singular present
tu-mwa
Imperative
soma read
1st person singular present
du-soma
Imperative
kubita hit
1st person singular present
du-kubita
The prefix variant du occurs with roots that have a voiceless initial segment in the root. With roots that have a voiced initial segment in the root, the prefix variant tu occurs. The examples from Kurundi serve to illustrate the phonological process of dissimilation.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
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