A Feature-driven Analysis Of Labialization And Palatalization As Phonological Processes In Hausa

A Feature-driven Analysis Of Labialization And Palatalization As Phonological Processes In Hausa

Chapter One

General Introduction

This exploration work would be carried- out in one of the four( 4) major areas of linguistics( phonology). Phonology is the methodical study of sounds system of a language. still, the exploration work doesn’t include all aspects of phonology rather it’ll be confined to two important phonological processes in Hausa language Labialization and Palatalization which are secondary articulations in Hausa language. Dustan, E( 1996).

It’s egregious that Hausa is the most extensively spoken language among its different druggies in northern part of the country among different cants similar as Kananci, Sakkwatanci, Katsinanci, Kabanci, Zamfaranci, and the suchlike. Dustan, E( 1996).

Mu’azu( 2005), sees labialization as a secondary articulation in which lip rounding is added to anon-labial sound as in the case of articulation of/ kw/,/ ƙw/, and/ gw/ consonants which are specifically appertained to as labialized velars. Palatalisation is a verbal noun deduced from the verb to “ palatalized ” means to add a palatal articulation( raise the front of the lingo towards the hard palate) to anon-palatal consonant under certain conditions. Palatalization is also a secondary articulation; there may be revision which adds an in colouring to the sound. The question now is, what are the kinds of consonants and under what conditions are they palatalized? Generally speaking, consonants that are generally palatalized in Hausa under particular circumstances are twofold, videlicet the alveolars s/,/ t/,/ d/ and/ z/, and the velars/ w/,/ k/,/ ƙ/, and/ g/. SaniM.A.Z.( 2005).

Statement Of The Problem

Hausa language is spoken in Nigeria particularly in the Northern region of the country since time old. It’s no doubt, the most extensively spoken language in Nigeria. In particular the language is spoken as L1 in numerous countries of the Northern Nigeria which include Kano, Katsina, Daura, Zamfara, Kebbi and etc. This study examines two( 2) phonological processes( labialization and palatalization) in Hausa language. It’s part of the study to identify the nature and conditions for each of them in Hausa language.