Monosyllabicization: patterns of evolution in Asian languages^*

Abstract

Asian languages reveal a continuum from quasi-disyllables to highly eroded monosyllables. These variegated states are now understood to be different stages along a common evolutionary path. An overview is proposed, beginning with the earliest stages of monosyllabicization, before the generalization of a strictly monosyllabic phonological structure. The well-documented processes of consonantal depletion which lead to the development of phonation-type registers and tones are presented within a general model. Lastly, phonological evolutions observed at advanced stages of segmental depletion are discussed. The concluding note concerns the aftermath of segmental depletion: the recreation of polysyllables.

Review of Hill (2019): The Historical Phonology of Tibetan, Burmese, and Chinese

“…The loss of the presyllables in some Kuki-Chin languages, and elsewhere in Trans-Himalayan, is not surprising; as pointed out by Michaud (2012), before complete monosyllabicization occurs, loss of presyllables tends to be sporadic. The reason for the unpredictability of presyllable loss may have to do with the fact that they can disappear in compounds (in the case of 'eight' for instance in complex numerals such as '18' or '80') or due to sandhi phenomena, and thus that prefixed and non-prefixed alternating forms of the same etymon may synchronically co-exist in the same language.…”

Lenition alternation in West Gyalrongic and its implications for Southeast Asian panchronic phonology

“…The presyllable may cause the lenition of the following consonant, and may create new consonant clusters when it is reduced. It thus innovates consonantal or vocalic contrasts, such as geminated/non-geminated and tense/lax contrasts (Ferlus 1997, Michaud 2012.…”

CVCren ertzetako alternantziak eta aitzineuskararen hitz-familien azterketarako hatsarriak: "*ban/bar-/bal"-en zirriborroa / CVC-edge alternancies and the foundations of the analysis of Proto-Basque word families: An outline of "*ban/bar-/bal"

“…46 Gure kasuan ez dakit Matisoffen «seskisilabo» (silaba eta erdiko) delakoek interesik duten. Agian bai, azken batean ekialdeko hizkuntzetan bezala AEn ere aurrizki eta «silaba higatuez» ari baikara, berreraiketarako interesgarrienez, hain zuzen ere; ikus Michaud (2012) argigarria. 47 Hots, zotz baina **sotz nahiz **zots.…”