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Himalayan Languages Symposium 2010London, SOAS

Alexis Michaud

Irregular tone patterns in numeral-plus-classifier determiners:

data from Na, Laze and Naxi, and phylogenetic implications for the Naish language

group

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Outline

1. Introduction 1.1. The search for shared innovations between Naxi, Na and Laze 1.2. Reflections on the time depth of irregular tonal alternations

2. Naxi data3. Laze data4. Yongning Na data5. General discussion & conclusion 5.1. The relationship of Naxi, Laze and Na 5.2. The Naish languages, Shixing, Namuyi and Pumi/Prinmi 5.3. Perspectives for reconstruction

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The Naish languages

• Sino-Tibetan. Yi?? Burmic subgroup??• Naxi: fieldwork 2002 & 2004• Yongning Na: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009• Laze: 2008, 2009• Remarkably similar. To be verified by

looking for shared innovations.• Study in areal context. Shixing, Pumi...

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1.1. The search for shared innovations between Na, Laze and Naxi

Hypothesis: close; ‘Naish language group’.Engaging in reconstruction (Jacques & Michaud submitted).

In various Qiangic languages. In various Qiangic languages. Presumably ancient.Presumably ancient.

Na, Laze, Naxi, ShixingNa, Laze, Naxi, Shixing

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1.2. The time depth of irregularities

Vietnamese: - ‘10’ mười (IPA : /mɯɤj/, tone A2)‘twenty’: hai mươi (same phonemes: /mɯɤj/, different tone: A1).

- ‘many’ nhiều, with tone A2; ‘how much’ bao nhiêu, where the syllable nhiêu has tone A1-ngồi ‘to sit’ (A2); ngôi ‘to enthrone’ (A1)

- voi ‘elephant’ (A1); vòi ‘(elephant’s) trunk’ (A2)

Presence of irregular tonal morphology.

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Numerals: segmental correspondences

Syntax of classifiers: similar in Naxi, Laze and Namæ˧vL˥ ɖɯ˧ i˧ læ˧ʂɯ˧noun numeral classifierson-in-law one CL for 1 person look for‘(she went) to look for a husband.’ (Laze, ‘Heavenly Wife’ story)

May be borrow

ed.

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2.1. A-sher Naxi

123456789

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2.2. Nda-le Naxi

12345678910

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2.3. Ndzhee-dy Naxi

1 single speaker. University student. Data collected in Kunming in 2009.

• Same nouns, classifiers and tonal system as in A-sher Naxi.• Same tonal system +minor differences in realisation

(disyllable-initial /H/ realised as [MH] before /L/ or /M/)• No tone sandhi in Num+CL determiners.

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3. Laze

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Confirmation of difference between ‘basket’ type and ‘year’ type

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4. Yongning Na

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5. General discussion and conclusion

Not an innovation: a global structure, not one single phenomenon. Retention rather than creation

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How much weight does this criterion carry?

If found in various languages: hardly any weight. If uncommon: good criterion.

Pumi/Prinmi: typologically similar; not same structure.

(data

: G

. Ja

cques)

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Many thanks to: the Naxi, Na and Laze language consultants & friends; Katia Chirkova, Guillaume Jacques, Martine Mazaudon, Boyd Michailovsky; Huang Xing, Latami Dashi, Lurong Duoding, Shamalayi, and Sun Hongkai.

Funding: CNRS and 4-year project from Agence Nationale de la Recherche, ANR-07-JCJC-0063

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3. Laze

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Pumi/Prinmi (G. Jacques)

Compositions des tons dans les composés nominaux: dépendents uniquement du 1er élément. H > HH, LH ou HL > LH.

La majorité des formes de NUM+CL sont irrégulières, au sens où elle ne suivent pas les règles observées dans les noms. 

Schéma tonal le plus courant pour les CL : celui de təhnə "jour" MAIS :

1) voisement de l'initiale dans tɒ-ɕɛ " et alternance tonale

2) "trois" dans tiɜjmi et tɜpɛf : différent des autres numéraux au ton montant.