Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Labialization and palatalization are two common phonological processes observed in various languages around the world. This research project focuses on a feature-driven analysis of labialization and palatalization as phonological processes in Hausa, a Chadic language spoken primarily in Nigeria and Niger. The study aims to investigate the linguistic features that trigger and govern these processes in Hausa phonology. The research methodology involves a comprehensive examination of the phonetic and phonological characteristics of labialization and palatalization in Hausa. Data collection will be primarily based on linguistic corpora, native speaker interviews, and experimental phonetic analysis. The analysis will be conducted within the theoretical framework of feature geometry and Optimality Theory to explore the underlying mechanisms of these phonological processes. Labialization in Hausa involves the articulation of a consonant with simultaneous rounding of the lips. This process typically affects the velar and alveolar consonants in the language. Palatalization, on the other hand, involves the raising of the tongue towards the hard palate during the articulation of a consonant, resulting in a palatal quality. This process affects the coronal and velar consonants in Hausa. The study will examine the distribution of labialized and palatalized consonants in different phonetic and phonological environments in Hausa. It will investigate the conditioning factors that determine the occurrence of these processes, such as adjacent vowels, consonants, and syllable structure. Additionally, the research will explore the interaction of labialization and palatalization with other phonological features in Hausa, such as tone and vowel harmony. By conducting a feature-driven analysis, this research project aims to contribute to our understanding of the phonological processes of labialization and palatalization in Hausa. The findings of the study are expected to shed light on the phonetic and phonological constraints that govern these processes in the language. This research is significant not only for the documentation of Hausa phonology but also for its implications in theoretical phonology and language typology.

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.