Modern Kabuverdianu: Some Phonological Aspects

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Shirley Freitas

Keywords

creole, kabuverdianu, phonology, spelling

Abstract

This issue discusses some phonological features of modern Cape Verdean Creole, focusing on the variety spoken in Santiago. Regarding the vocalic system, the phonemes are presented and some aspects are discussed, such as (i) the status of the vowels [+ nasal]; (ii) the opposition between open-mid and close-mid vowels as identifying the grammatical class of the word; (iii) the inventory of diphthongs. Concerning the consonantal stock, after the presentation of its segments, some consonants are the focus, such as the affricates, the flap, the voiced fricatives and the palatal lateral. The existence of prenasalized consonants is also questioned. Finally, the syllabic structure is addressed, mentioning the elements that can occupy the positions of nucleus, onset and coda. From the discussion of these aspects, it is possible to know the rules and restrictions that exist in the Cape Verdean Creole.

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