An autosegmental approach to nasalization, deletion and spirantization in Eket

Abstract

This work focuses on the phonological processes of Eket from the veiwpoint of autosegmental phonology (ASP). Specifically, we examine nasalization, deletion and spirantization within the context of ASP. For instance, rather than using the reiterative linear rule of nasalization, nasalization in Eket can be better handled by using ASP as a methodological tool. It is also observed that frication is abstractable. This ia accounted for by docking rule.The paper concludes by stating that much as the earlier theories of phonology are desireable, ASP as shown that effective analysis of Eket phonology can be achieved through the use of ASP as a theoretical framework.