Project Abstract

Abstract
This research project conducts a feature-driven analysis of labialization and palatalization as phonological processes in Hausa. The study aims to investigate how these processes operate in the phonological system of Hausa, a Chadic language spoken primarily in Nigeria and Niger. Labialization and palatalization are common phonological processes across languages, where sounds acquire secondary articulations involving the lips or the palate, respectively. The research methodology involves a comprehensive examination of the phonetic and phonological characteristics of labialized and palatalized sounds in Hausa. Through acoustic analysis and auditory perception tests, the study explores the acoustic cues and perceptual distinctions that differentiate labialized and palatalized segments from their non-labialized and non-palatalized counterparts in the language. Furthermore, the research investigates the distributional patterns of labialized and palatalized sounds in different phonological contexts to identify the conditioning factors that trigger these processes. The feature-driven analysis adopted in this study relies on the principles of distinctive feature theory in phonology. By identifying the relevant distinctive features associated with labialization and palatalization in Hausa, the research aims to elucidate the underlying phonological representations and constraints that govern these processes. The analysis considers both segmental and suprasegmental aspects of labialization and palatalization, including their interactions with tone and vowel harmony in Hausa. The findings of this research contribute to our understanding of the phonological processes of labialization and palatalization in Hausa and their implications for phonological theory. The study reveals the systematic nature of these processes in Hausa, highlighting the phonetic motivations and phonological constraints that shape the realization of labialized and palatalized sounds in the language. Additionally, the research sheds light on the functional load of labialization and palatalization in distinguishing lexical and grammatical contrasts in Hausa. Overall, this feature-driven analysis offers valuable insights into the phonological structure of Hausa and contributes to the broader literature on phonological processes in African languages. The research underscores the intricate interplay between phonetic motivation, phonological representation, and language-specific constraints in shaping the phonological system of Hausa.

Project 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.