Chpater 2---2.2 outline of “Tholantlang Lai Tonology”

2. Elicitation as Experimental Phonology

– Thlantlang Lai Tonology

2.2 outline of “Tholantlang Lai Tonology”

I. The data from Thlantlang dialect of Lai in Chin State, Burma.

- A monosyllabic language

- Falling tone (F), Rising tone (R), F/R tone

II. An alternation in Thlantlang dialect of Lai

- Falling tone becomes rising tone after ká (my)

- Find out the underlying forms:

a. F/R words are underlying /H/

H to HL / __ pause

b. R words are underlying /L/

L to LH / __ pause

- Contour tones:

a. All non-final tones must be either H or L

b. All final tones must be either falling or rising

c. Lag-IO(L): An input L should extend onto the following syllable

d. JUMP (UP): L tone cannot jumps to H tone

III. Question raised

- Why is /H/ realized LH after ká =my?

a. originally designated as F/R

b. H nouns are pronounced with any of surface tones.

c. Historical aspect: /H/ nouns have a /LH/ allomorph after pronominal proclitics.