Phonology of Fur language

Abstract

This work is mainly concerned with phonology of Fur Language .It aims at examining scientifically, the various aspects of the phonology of this language. This should include phenomina such as : the phonemic distribution and realization, plural morpheme realization as well as tone question in this particular language.A special attention is given to examining the exact number of phonemes.The study is carried out through stages of phonic to phonemic recording of speech sounds of native speakers .The contribution made in this work is reflected in the fact that we managed to examine through the process of minimal pairs, the distribution of the various phonemes in different environments of the word.Hence for establishing the phonological rules we elicited out all possible realizations (allophones) in each environment of certain words then we stated them formulaically in accordance with the rules of generative phonology . We did the same thing with plural morpheme realizations which take place in nouns and adjectives .Finally we came to the following phonological rules:phonemic distribution rules,clustering rules,allophonic rules such as aspiration ,devoicing, release/unrelease, clear/dark/l/ and vowel nasalization rules.As for morphophonemic rules ,we have arrived at the following :insertion,deletion,assimilation and nasalization rules.