On the Motivation and Structure of a Strengthening Process in Tswana

Abstract

A synchronic morphophonemic pattern of alternation constituting a single phonological process in Tswana, a Southeastern Bantu language, is examined.2 In order to account tentatively for this process, a discussion of its motivation and structure is undertaken. Two motivating conditions are identified: the Reflexive morpheme and a syllabic nasal consonant. Restricting subsequent discussion to the nasal condition, a hierarchical strength structure is postulated to underlie the process. This postulated strength hierarchy appears to follow from two principles, an Intersyllable Principle derived from Hooper (1976) and the Inertial Development Principle found in Foley (1977).