VOS: Phonology and Romanization

[qiihoskeh]

Last Edited: 2006.Jul.17 Mon

Phonology and Romanization

The pronunciation is highly approximate.

Consonants

p	[p]	t	[t]	c	[tS)]	k	[k]
b	[b]	d	[d]	j	[dZ)]	g	[g]
f	[f]	s	[s]	x	[S]	h	[x]
		r	[r]	z	[Z]
m	[m]	n	[n]
w	[w]	l	[l]	y	[j]

I need to add a list of consonant clusters. I think only certain C + w or y will be possible for onsets. Other two consonant sequences are coda + onset.

Vowels

i	[i]	e	[E]	a	[a]	o	[o]	u	[I\]

Long vowels are mostly indicated either by doubling the vowel letter or with a circumflex. Vowels following w or y in open syllables are automatically long.

Diphthongs include ai, ao, oi, eo, and ei.

Moric units are either CV, V, or C. The last alternates with Cu (Ci where C is c, j, or x).

The voiced stops and affricate are possibly not phonemic; they occur as allophones to the corresponding voiceless ones between two voiced sounds (possibly limiting that to the vowels and r).

The voiceless stops and affricate are aspirated in coda position (unless geminate).

Stress is on the first syllable of the root and isn't indicated by the orthography. Stressed short vowels in open syllables are lengthened in the ultima and the penult. This may or may not be indicated in writing.

Some Historical Development

The following table shows the result of 2-vowel combinations. The entries use the romanization.

	+ a	+ e	+ i	+ u	+ o
a +	aa	ai		ao
e +	ya	ee	ei		eo
i +		ye	ii	uu	yo
u +	wa	we	wi		oo
o +			oi