The consonant phonemes in Mende are:
[p, b, t, d, k, g, kp, gb, f, v, s, h, l, m, n, ng,
mb, nd, ny, w]
ng = [+consonant, +nasal, +velar, +stop]
ny = [+consonant, +nasal, +palatal, +fricative]
Note:
the consonant phonemes [kp], [gb], [mb] and [nd] are
coarticulated
phonemes. Two simultaneous points of articulation are required
to produce these sounds.
 Construct
a table for the Mende consonants. You may use Fromkin/Rodman as your
guide but you will have to include the coarticulated consonants.
You will have to modify their chart.
The vowel phonemes in Mende are:
[i, e, a, o and u]
Construct a table
for the Mende vowels.
Construct phonetic matrices
for the vowels. (Follow the example for the consonants below)
Construct
phonetic matrices for the following: [kp], [ng], [g],
[i], and [ny]. For example, [b] = [+con, +bilabial,
+stop, +voice]
What natural
class of sounds do the features [+consonant, +stop, -voice] define?
What is a natural class. Give three more examples. |
