Reduplication and initial change in Sheshatshiu Innu-aimun

Burgess, Janet A. (2009) Reduplication and initial change in Sheshatshiu Innu-aimun. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Reduplication and Initial Change, prominent phonological processes in Algonquian languages, are productive in the Innu-aimun dialect spoken in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. Reduplication, especially common with verbs, repeats elements of words to signify a kind of multiplicity or pluractionality. Initial Change modifies the first vowel of the verb stem, marking particular grammatical contexts. The form of the change varies with the original vowel quality and is language specific. In Innu-aimun, both processes target the leftmost edge of words, and have the potential to apply concurrently to a word. This thesis describes monosyllabic and bisyllabic reduplication for Sheshatshiu Innu-aimun, discussing commonalities with other Algonquian languages and features unique to this dialect. The description of Initial Change discusses the expected change patterns and notes a previously undescribed pattern. This work also examines the interaction of reduplication and Initial Change as they apply to the same words, suggesting some theoretical explanations underlying the observed data.

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