Syllable Structure of Oromo (Harar dialect) Based on Moraic Approach

Abstract

This concept focused on the syllable structure of Oromo (Harar dialect) based on moraic theory. Based on this concerned idea, it has attempted to describe the syllable types that occur in Harar Oromo. These are CV, CVC, CVV, and CVVC syllables. Therefore, based on the notion of the moraic theory, the language assigned CV and CVC syllables as light, whereas CVV and CVVC syllables as heavy. In connection with light and heavy syllables, it has revealed that mono-moraic syllable as light, while bi-moraic and tri-moraic syllables as heavy in Oromo (Harar dialect). In these types of syllables, in addition to vowels (short and long), consonant geminates and clusters bear only one mora in word-medial position. In Harar Oromo, word-initial and final consonant gemination and cluster are not allowed. In the language, each word has initial consonant in underlying representation. However, in surface representation onset-less words are presented due to the deletion of the voiceless glottal plosive sound /Ɂ /. Due to this fact, some words begin with the vowel /i/, /e/, /u/, /o/and /a/ in the language. However, because of the derivation of surface structure from the underlying representation, onset consonants are obligatory constituents.

Keywords: Phonology, Syllable Structure, Moraic theory, Harar Oromo, light and heavy syllables, and gemination and cluster.

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/71-01

Publication date:August 31^st 2020