Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project explores the phonological processes of labialization and palatalization in Hausa, a Chadic language spoken primarily in West Africa. Labialization and palatalization are common phonological processes found in many languages, and understanding their manifestations in Hausa can provide valuable insights into the phonological system of the language. This study takes a feature-driven approach to analyze how labialization and palatalization operate in Hausa phonology. The research methodology involves a detailed examination of the phonetic and phonological characteristics of labialization and palatalization in Hausa. Labialization involves the rounding of vowels or consonants due to the influence of the lips, while palatalization refers to the fronting or raising of the tongue towards the hard palate. These processes can result in changes in vowel quality, consonant articulation, and even the emergence of new phonemes in a language. By focusing on the features that trigger and distinguish labialization and palatalization in Hausa, this study aims to uncover the underlying patterns and rules governing these processes in the language. The analysis will consider factors such as vowel harmony, consonant clusters, and the interaction of labialization and palatalization with other phonological phenomena in Hausa. Furthermore, this research will investigate the morphophonological effects of labialization and palatalization in Hausa. These processes can have implications for word formation, morphological alternations, and even syntactic structures in the language. By examining how labialization and palatalization interact with morphological processes in Hausa, this study seeks to elucidate their role in shaping the linguistic structure of the language. The findings of this research will contribute to our understanding of phonological processes in Hausa and provide a foundation for future studies on phonological typology and language universals. By applying a feature-driven analysis to labialization and palatalization in Hausa, this study offers a systematic and comprehensive examination of these phonological processes, shedding light on their phonetic and phonological properties in the language. In conclusion, this research project aims to deepen our knowledge of labialization and palatalization as phonological processes in Hausa, highlighting their features, patterns, and implications for the linguistic structure of the language.

Thesis Overview

1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION

This research work would be carried-out in one of the four (4) major areas of linguistics (phonology). Phonology is the systematic study of sounds system of a language. However, the research work does not include all aspects of phonology rather it will be restricted to two important phonological processes in Hausa language: Labialization and Palatalization which are secondary articulations in Hausa language. Dustan, E (1996).

It is obvious that Hausa is the most widely spoken language among its different users in northern part of the country among different dialects such as Kananci, Sakkwatanci, Katsinanci, Kabanci, Zamfaranci, and the like. Dustan, E (1996).

Mu’azu (2005), sees labialization as a secondary articulation in which lip rounding is added to a non-labial sound as in the case of articulation of /kw/, /Æ™w/, and /gw/ consonants which are specifically referred to as labialized velars. Palatalisation is a verbal noun derived from the verb to “palatalized” means to add a palatal articulation (raise the front of the tongue towards the hard palate) to a non-palatal consonant under certain conditions. Palatalization is also a secondary articulation; there may be modification which adds an in colouring to the sound. The question now is, what are the kinds of consonants and under what conditions are they palatalized? Generally speaking, consonants that are commonly palatalized in Hausa under particular circumstances are twofold, namely the alveolars /s/, /t/, /d/ and /z/, and the velars /w/, /k/, /Æ™/, and /g/. Sani M. A. Z. (2005).

1.1 STATEMENT     OF THE PROBLEM

Hausa language is spoken in Nigeria particularly in the Northern region of the country since time immemorial. It is no doubt, the most widely spoken language in Nigeria. In particular the language is spoken as L1 in many states of the Northern Nigeria which include: Kano, Katsina, Daura, Zamfara, Kebbi and etc. This study examines two (2) phonological processes: (labialization and palatalization) in Hausa language. It is part of the study to identify the nature and conditions for each of them in Hausa language.