The phonology and morphology of Filomeno Mata Totonac

The type of simplification depends on the suffix and the preceding segment. It may include
deletion of the entire suffix or of its final segment(s); in the latter case resyllabification
sometimes occurs. Each suffix is discussed in turn below.
2.6.4.4.1 IMPERFECTIVE –aa. When –aa occurs word-finally, it deletes entirely. Only when
another suffix or clitic construction follows the one adding –aa is it realized on the surface. This
analysis requires a degree of abstractness, since –aa does appear in verbs with first or second
person plural subjects, even though the corresponding suffixes –w! 1pl and –titi" 2SUB.pl are
optionally but frequently deleted following –aa. (see §4.8.1.1).
114)/k-stiwi-aa/ 115)/s"-laaqtsin-aa/
1SUB-rock- IMPF PAST-see-IMPF
[kstiwí] [s"laaqtsín]
‘I rock him’ ‘she was seeing him’
116)/k-stiwi-aa-c"i&/ 117) /s"-laaqtsin-aa-ts’a&/
1SUB-rock-IMPF-HERE PAST-see- IMPF-YA
[kstiwiyáac"] [s"laaqtsináats’]
‘I rock him here’ ‘he was already seeing it’
118)/stiwi-aa-wa&/ 119) /s"-laaqtsin-aa-titi&/
rock-IMPF-1pl PAST-see-IMPF-2SUB.pl
[stiwiyá]/[stiwiyáaw] [s"laaqtsiná]/[s"laaqtsináatit h i&]
‘we rock her’ ‘you pl. were seeing him’
2.6.4.4.2 PERFECT –niita. When –niit! occurs word-finally, it may shorten to -nii in verbs
with any subject except second person singular. This process is optional but preferred. The
person agreement marker of 2SUB.sg is glottalization of the final consonant, in this case –niit’!.
It seems that the morphological glottalization of the t protects it from optional deletion.
120)/ki#ni-niita&/ 121) /puuti-niita&/
scold-PRFT evaporate-PRFT
[ki#niníi]/[ki#niníit h a&] [puutiníi]/[puutiníit h a&]
‘he has scolded him’ ‘it has evaporated’
! (#!