Whiteley - A study of Yao sentences

Whiteley, Wilfred Howell

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https://archive.org/details/studyofyaosentenOOOOwhit

A STUDY OF YAO SENTENCES

Oxford University Press, Ely House, London, W. I

GLASGOW NEW YORK TORONTO MELBOURNE WELLINGTON CAPE TOWN SALISBURY IBADAN NAIROBI LUSAKA ADDIS ABABA BOMBAY CALCUTTA MADRAS KARACHI LAHORE DACCA KUALA LUMPUR HONG KONG

A STUDY OF

BY

W. H. WHITELEY

OXFORD

AT THE CLARENDON PRESS 1966

Oxford University Press 1966

TO

WITH AFFECTION AND GRATITUDE

-1.jC O' <

For assistance in the collection of data, both in London and in the field, my greatest debt is to Mr. Kevin Mbaga of Newala, Tanganyika. I should also like to thank my neighbours in Mbeesa village, Tunduru District, Tanganyika, and especially my chief informant, Mr. Mandunda Saidi, for their help during my months of residence there. In Malawi I was grateful for the help and hospitality extended to me by Chief Jalasi, and for the help of Mr. Mboobo Lipende at Jalasis village. In Salima, Mr. L. P. G. Cenyama and Mr. M. Pongolani were particularly helpful. In all these areas many people gave freely of their time and knowledge that a stranger should not have to go away ill informed.

In writing up the material I have gained much from discussion with colleagues at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and especially from Miss Joan Maw. I am particularly indebted to my friend, Dr. A. E. Meeussen, who, as usual gave generously of his experience to read and comment on the manuscript. Professor M. Guthrie of the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and Professor Murray Fowler of the University of Wisconsin were kind enough to read through the material and I am grateful to them for their comments.

To the School of Oriental and African Studies, who made possible both the period of study in London and the subsequent field-work in East and Central Africa, the book itself must stand as an acknowledgement of gratitude.

W. H. W.

Madison, Wisconsin December ig6j

INTRODUCTION

Xlii

PART I. THE ELEMENTS; PHONOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY

I.O. PHONOLOGY I-I9

1.1. Vowel phonemes 1

1.11. Vowel sequence: internal 2

1.12. Vowel sequence: external 3

1.2. Consonant phonemes 3

1.21. Voiced stops 4

1.22. Aspiration 4

1.23. g+e, k+e 4

1-24- T 5

1.25. d 5

1.26. my, py, ty, ly 5

1.27. Clusters 5

1.271. Nasal clusters 5

1.272. w clusters 6

1.28. Consonant sequences 6

1.281. Consonant/vowel sequences 7

1.282. Other sequences 7

1.3. Prominence 7

1.4. Tone 7

1.41. Tone levels 7

1.42. Tonal distinctiveness 7

1.43. Tonal realization in vowel sequences 9

1.44. Tonal groups (TG) 10

1.45. Tones of prefixes 16

1.46. Intonational features 16

2.0. MORPHOLOGY 19-86

2.1. Variable words 19

2.11. Nominal words 20

2.111. Short-series nominals (SsN) 20

2.112. Long-series nominals (LsN) 29

2.1121. Long-series words with double prefixes

Adjectives 29

2.1122. Long-series words with single prefixes

Possessives 31

2.1123. Long-series words with single prefixes

Demonstratives 32

2.1124. Long-series words with single prefixes

Miscellaneous qualifiers 35

2.1125. Other long-series prefixes 36

2.12. The verb 36

2.121. Types of radical 37

2.1211. Simple extensions 38

2.1212. Multiple extensions 47

2.1213. Extensions of limited applicability 49

2.1214. Pseudo-extensions 51

2.122. Pre-radical elements 55

2.1221. pn- and ku~ 55