SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This study aims at finding out the particular phonetic contexts within which the alternation of [i], [i] & [u] in Hausa takes place in an utterance, and where it does not. It also aims at establishing the underlying forms amongst these vowels as well as identifying the underlying causes for the alternation or non-alternation. The work is divided into ten chapters: Chapter One introduces the work. It discusses the Hausa consonants based on the standard dialect, the vowels as shared by both the standard and non-standard dialects, and their phonological status. Chapter Two is basically divided into two sections, with the first one discussing the 'general' type of vowel alternation (dialectal and non-dialectal), and the second section dealing with the alternation of [i], [i] & [u] 'specific' in the standard dialect. Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 look into the [i/i/u] alternation in the Zaria, Bauchi, Daura, Katsina & Sokoto dialects respectively, all relative to the standard. Chapter Eight is devoted to establishing the underlying forms in the words where a labial and/or coronal precede(s). Chapter Nine examines the -ij- and -uw- sequences in relation to the alternation under consideration. Finally, Chapter Ten sets out the conclusions reached in the study.