Mike Cahill

• PHD
• SIL International

Since Kenstowicz et at's analysis of Moore (1988), a widespread view is that tone polarity does not exist; apparent polarity is actually dissimilation. This paper shows that an OCP-based dissimilation analysis cannot account for the full range of K:mni data, and presents a morpheme-specific POLAR constraint referring to the Noun Class 1 plural suff...

The representation of labiovelars in feature geometry is discussed, using primarily evidence from Konni, a Gur language of northern Ghana, and data from some other languages. The discussion is based on an observation that place assimilation of a nasal consonant to labiovelars does not result universally in a labiovelar nasal, as has been theorized...

This paper demonstrates that the phonetic vowel sequences of Konni can be analyzed as a dipthongization of long mid vowels. Evidence from phonetics, phonological rules, and tone is cited to support this conclusion. The vowel harmony system of Konni is reviewed and underspecification of features is seen to play a crucial role in explaining vowel har...