the university of chicago the phonology and ... - SIL International

CHAPTER 2
PHONEMES
In this chapter, I present evidence for the consonant and vowel phonemes of
Mono. These are discussed in Sections 2.1 and 2.2, respectively. In addition, I discuss the
distribution of consonants and vowels in the syllable and word in Section 2.3. Tone
contrasts will be presented in Chapter 3.
In identifying phonemes, I rely on data which can fit into the CV syllable
pattern—the only unambiguous syllable pattern in Mono containing an onset. Syllables
containing the secondary articulations of labialization and palatalization present a special
problem of interpretation and will be discussed in Chapter 4. The syllable patterns which
occur in Mono, including ones which are ambiguous in their interpretation, will be
discussed in Chapter 5.
The main tool I use for demonstrating the distinctiveness of phonemes is the well-
known methodology developed by the structuralists of identifying contrast in identical or
analogous environments (cf., e.g., Pike 1947).
In choosing lexical items for demonstrating contrast, I use the following criteria.
First, I have used citation forms exclusively, with one addition: I also employ verb roots
without the infinitive prefix as evidence for word-initial contrasts. Since the tonal
property of the first syllable of verb roots varies depending on the tense, aspect, and
mood of the verb, I present them here without tone markings. Second, I only employ
multimorphemic forms as evidence for contrast when monomorphemic forms are not
attested. Third, I have tried to avoid employing forms which exhibit phonological
variation unless other forms are not attested. This includes unpredictable variation, e.g.
24