Phonetics And Phonology Questions
Vowel harmony in pidgin and creole languages refers to a phonological process where the vowels within a word or across words are influenced by each other, resulting in a harmonious pattern. This process occurs when certain vowels in a word or phrase are modified to match the quality or features of a neighboring vowel.
In pidgin and creole languages, vowel harmony typically occurs due to the influence of the dominant or substrate languages. For example, if a pidgin or creole language has been influenced by a language with a vowel harmony system, such as Turkish or Finnish, it may adopt similar patterns.
The process of vowel harmony involves two main components: assimilation and spreading. Assimilation refers to the modification of a vowel to match the features of a neighboring vowel. This can include changes in vowel height, backness, or rounding. Spreading, on the other hand, refers to the extension of the vowel harmony pattern across multiple words or within a word.
For instance, in a pidgin or creole language influenced by Turkish vowel harmony, if a word contains a front vowel like /i/, the neighboring vowels within the same word or across words may also become front vowels to maintain harmony. Similarly, if a word contains a rounded vowel like /u/, the surrounding vowels may also become rounded.
Overall, vowel harmony in pidgin and creole languages is a phonological process that involves the modification and spreading of vowels to create a harmonious pattern influenced by the dominant or substrate languages.