22. Phonemics

22.1. Vowels

22.2. Consonants

______________________________________________________________________

22.1. Vowels

22.1.1. Vowel phonemes 　

22.1.2. Assimilation of vowels

22.1.2.1. Progressive assimilation of vowels (AŞ ~ ÇX)(AK)

22.1.2.2. Regressive assimilation of vowels (AK)(ÇX)

______________________________________________________________________

22.1.1. Vowel phonemes

In laz, five vowel phonemes are distinguished : /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/ and /u/.

Ex. : aşi (six) ; eçi (twenty) ; iri (all) ; okosale (broom) ; uça (black)

______________________________________________________________________

22.1.2. Assimilation of vowels

______________________________________________________________________

22.1.2.1. Progressive assimilation of vowels (AŞ ~ ÇX)(AK)

There are some rare cases of progressive assimilation of vowels in laz. But they are not observed in all dialects.

muti (PZ ~ ÇM); mutu (AŞ ~ ÇX)(AK) : something

mu-ti (PZ ~ ÇM); mu-tu (AŞ ~ ÇX)(AK) : whatever

işipons (AK) : he wipes his nose

uşupons (AK)(*) : he wipes someone’s nose

●●● (*) In this word, the accented vowel is assimilated by anoher one.

______________________________________________________________________

22.1.2.2. Regressive assimilation of vowels (AK)(ÇX)

[1] In the dialects of Çxala and Akçakoca, the first vowel of the preverb {dolo-} is regularly assimilated regressively before /i/ and /u/.

dilimers (AK), dilimars (ÇX) : he brings down something in a place or receptacle having vertical depth

duluk’ançxeps (AK), duluk’vançxups (ÇX) : he cuts up bread and plunges into a liquid

[2] In the dialects of Akçakoca, the first vowel of the preverbs {ok’o-} and {oxo-} is regularly assimilated regressively before /u/.

uxuşkumers (AK) : he sets free (animals, birds)

uk’ungapan (AK) : they ressemble each other

______________________________________________________________________

22.2. Consonants

22.2.1. Consonant phonemes

22.2.2. Consonant group

22.2.3. Neutralization of consonants

22.2.4. Assimilation of consonants

22.2.5. Geminated consonants out of assimilation

22.2.6. Epenthetical consonant /y/ [j]

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.1. Consonant phonemes

Table of Laz consonant phonemes

A : Bilabials B : Labiodentals C : Alveolars D : Postalveolars E : Palatovelars F : Velars G : Uvulars H : Glottal

● Bilabial approximant [w] is a variant of phoneme /v/.

● The phoneme that is represented by “r” is neither a trill nor a flap. It is an approximant consonant. [The Altered document (p. 419) describes a trill variant of this phoneme. We did not meet it.]

● Palatovelar stops /ky/, /ky’/ and /gy/ are observed only in central and eastern dialects. The opposition between /ç/ and /ky/, between /ç’/ and /ky’/ and between /c/ and /gy/ does not exist in western dialects (= those of Pazar-Çamlıhemşin-Ardeşen).

● Uvular fricative ejective phoneme /x’/ is observed only in the dialects of Hopa and Çxala and in those spoken by migrants originating from these localities. This phoneme disappeared in other dialects where it is sometimes replaced by /k’/.

●●● This phoneme is described wrongly as a “stop or plosive” in many publications where it is written by the letter “Q, q”. [Same error is repeated in Altered document (p. 412). One of variants of this phoneme is described as an “uvular plosive ejective consonant”.]

_____________________________________________________________________

22.2.2. Consonant group

22.2.2.1. Consonant group at the beginning of word

22.2.2.2. Consonant group between vowels

22.2.2.3. Consonant group at the end of word

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.2.1. Consonant group at the beginning of word

In laz, consonant groups can have at most four members at the beginning of word. The fourth consonant must be, in this case, obligatorily the archiphoneme /v/.

msk’va (PZ)(ÇM)(AŞ) : beautiful

mskva (FN)(AH)(HP(ÇX) : beautiful

mçxvapa (PZ)(AH)(HP) : hot (air)

nçxvapa (ÇM)(AŞ) : hot (air)

p’t’k’vi (PZ ~ AŞ)(AH-Pilarget) : I said

ptkvi (FN ~ ÇX) : I said

pçxvarum (FN)(AH) : I mash

At the beginning of word, nasal phonemes /m/ and /n/ are devoiced before voiceless consonant.

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.2.2. Consonant group between vowels

In medial places of word i.e. between two vowels, consonant groups can have also four members at most. The fourth consonant can be other than the archiphoneme /v/.

num3’k’rams (FN-Ç’anapet) : he has regard for someone

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.2.3. Consonant group at the end of word

The number of consonants that can be at the end of word in laz is limited : two at the very most.

[1] At the end of nouns and pronouns (other than personal pronouns), sole /k/, /s-z/ and /ş/ can appear as case-marking suffixes in most of dialects. In the dialects of Çamlıhemşin-Ardeşen where the ergative, dative and locative case-markers have disappeared, the only case-marking consonant suffix is {-ş} which is a variant of the genitive case-marker {-şi}.

Besides, in the dialects of Çamlıhemşin and in certain dialects of Arhavi (Pilarget, Sidere, Jin-Napşit), other kinds of one or two consonants are observed at the end of nouns in the ablative case.

Ğvant (ÇM) : laz name of Çayırdüzü village

topri ~ topr (ÇM) : honey

[2] At the end of numeral adjectives, /m/, /r/ and /t/ are observed in all dialects.

ar : 1

jur, cur : 2

sum : 3

şk’it, şkit, şkvit : 7

vit : 10

These adjectives take often the suffix /-i/ (= ari, juri, sumi, şk’iti, şkiti, şkviti, viti) in the nominal use.

[3] At the end of some adverbs, the archiphoneme /s-z/ is observed in the dialects other than those of Çamlıhemşin-Ardeşen.

mundes ~ mundez : when

[4] At the end of verbs, following consonant groups are observed : /m/ ~ /p/, /ms/ ~ /ps/, /mt/ ~ /pt/, /n/, /ns/, /nt/, /r/, /rs/, /rt/, /l/, /ls/, /lt/, /s-z/, /t/ and, sole in the dialects of Pazar-Çamlıhemşin-Ardeşen, /y/. (Only /m/, /n/, /r/ and /y/ at Çamlıhemşin-Ardeşen).

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.3. Neutralization of consonants

Neutralization of consonants happens only at the beginning of word and between vowels.

22.2.3.1. Consonant + archiphoneme /v/

22.2.3.2. Archiphoneme /s-z/ at the end of word

22.2.3.3. Stop + stop

22.2.3.4. Stop + fricative (other than /v/)

22.2.3.5. Fricative (other than /v/) + fricative (other than /v/)

_____________________________________________________________________

22.2.3.1. Consonant + archiphoneme /v/ (= [v] + [f] + [w])

There is no phonemic opposition between /v/ and /f/ if they are preceded by another consonant (*). The variants of this archiphoneme are [v] and [w] after voiced consonant, and [v], [f] and [w] after voiceless consonant.

kva = [kva], [kfa], [kwa] : stone, rock

makvali = [makvali], [makfali], [makwali] : egg

pşvi = [p∫vi], [p∫fi], [p∫wi] : (1) I drunk ; (2) I weaved

(*) All Laz pronounce voiceless [f] in very rare words. The first example below is a symbol-word made by two quasi-identical syllables. The other examples are recent loan words that are used by Laz-Turkish bilinguals.

farfalams/ farfalay (PZ)(ÇM)(AŞ-Ortaalan) : it sparkles

mutfaği : kitchen

asfalti : asphalt

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.3.2. Archiphoneme /s-z/ at the end of word

In the dialects of Pazar and those of Fındıklı-Arhavi-Hopa-Çxala, [s] and [z] are observed at the end of words in following cases. There is no distinctive opposition between two consonants. The /s/ and /z/ phonemes form together an archiphoneme in this position.

[1] Dative and locative case marker of nouns and (non-personal) pronouns

[2] Marker of third person singular in imperfective aspect

[3] Marker of third person plural in perfective aspect

[4] Marker of third person singular in the optative mood

[5] At the end of some adverbs

oxoris ~ oxoriz : in the house

hinis; henterez ~ henteres; hentepez ~ hentepes : to them

ikums (PZ); ikomz ~ ikoms (FN ~ HP-P’eronit) : he does

ides ~ idez : they went

mundes ~ mundez : when

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.3.3. Stop + stop

When two stops stand side by side in a laz word, they are both voiced or both voiceless non-ejective or both ejective.

bdgur (PZ)(ÇM)(AŞ); bdgir (FN)(AH)(HP)(ÇX) : I am standing

ptkumer (HP); ptkumar (ÇX) : I say

ptkvare (FN)(AH); ptkvaminon (HP)(ÇX) : I shall say

p’t’k’vare (PZ)(ÇM)(AŞ)(AH-Pilarget) : I shall say

In the same way, when two stops stand side by side at the junction of two words or one word and one suffix forming a rhythm unity (= unity which is to be pronounced at a breath) as in the case of succession {verb + postfix}, regressive assimilation is in such a way that they become both voiced or both voiceless non-ejective or both ejective. (***)

mepşvent’it (FN)(AH) : I expected that he comes

mepşvent’it’k’o (FN)(AH) : if only we expected that he comes !

(***) Exception ! : No assimilation happens if the last word or suffix begins by /d/. On the other hand, an interesting ejectivization is observed in the first group of examples below. The form vit’var is showing one of the origins of /v/ in Laz.

[1] vit-do-otxo (PZ-Cigetore)(AŞ-Ok’ordule) : 14 (fourteen)

vit’o-otxo ~ vit’otxo (PZ)(ÇM)(FN)(AH)(HP)(ÇX) : 14 (fourteen)

vit-do-ar (PZ-Cigetore)(AŞ-Ok’ordule) : 11 (eleven)

vit’o-ar (PZ)(ÇM)(AH)(HP)(ÇX) : 11 (eleven)

vit’var (FN)(AH) : 11 (eleven)

[2] idit-doren (FN)(AH) : it seems that you went

bidit-dort’un (FN)(AH) : we had gone

____________________________________________________________________________

22.2.3.4. Stop + fricative (other than /v/)

In the succession of stop and fricative other than /v/ in a word or a rhythm unity, voiced fricatives can stand only before or after voiced stop while voiceless fricatives can stand only before or after voiceless stop (ejective or non-ejective).

bjguram (PZ)(ÇM) : I scorch

bzdam (PZ)(ÇM), bzdum (AŞ) : I pull out

bzdum (FN), bzdim (AH) : I carry

z*ğala (FN ~ ÇX) : repletion

pst’ur (PZ ~ AŞ), pstur (FN ~ ÇX) : I slip

pşk’omare (PZ ~ AŞ) : I shall eat

3xeni/ n3xeni : horse

Voiceless stops coming after voiceless fricative in a word or a rhythm unity become regularly ejective in western dialects (Pazar, Çamlıhemşin, Ardeşen) and non-ejective in central (Fındıklı, Arhavi) and eastern (Hopa, Çxala) dialects.

şk’a (PZ ~ AŞ) : waist

moxt’u (PZ ~ AŞ) : he came

mundes- + -ti > mundes-t’i (ÇM ~ AŞ) : whenever

şka (FN ~ ÇX) : waist

moxtu (FN ~ ÇX) : he came

moxtez/ moxtes + -k’o > moxtesko (FN)(HP) : if only they came !

_____________________________________________________________________________

22.2.3.5. Fricative (other than /v/) + fricative (other than /v/)

In most of Laz dialects, two fricatives (other than /v/) can stand one after another only at the junction of morphemes composing rhythm unities.

●●● In case of succession /s-z/ + /ş/ at the junction of morphemes in a rhythm unity, regressive assimilation happens regularly and the gemination /şş/ is often reduced into one consonant /ş/.

var-moxt’es- + -şa > var-moxt’e(ş)şa (PZ ~ AŞ) : before they came

var-moxtez- + -şa > var-moxte(ş)şa (FN ~ ÇX) : before they came

mundez/ mundes + şkule > munde-şkule (FN ~ HP) : how long after

● Some rare cases of succession of two fricatives inside a simple word are observed in a small number of dialects. (*)

nsxuluy (ÇM) : he separates hemp fibres from the stalk

sxonuy (AŞ-Ortaalan) : he combs his hair

k’uşxe (AŞ-Dutxe) : foot, leg

(*) Sxonuy corresponds to 3xons/ 3xonums in other dialects, and k’uşxe to k’uçxe. It is very probable that these cases of succession of fricatives have resulted from recent phonetical evolution and that there was not such a case in old Laz.

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.4. Assimilation of consonants

Assimilation of consonant phonemes happens only inside consonant groups between vowels.

22.2.4.1. Gemination resulting from regressive assimilation (FN)

22.2.4.2. Gemination resulting from progressive assimilation (AŞ)(ÇX)

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.4.1. Gemination resulting from regressive assimilation (FN)

In the dialects of Fındıklı, the phoneme /r/ is often regressively assimilated by alveolar and postalveolar consonants.

orz*o > oz*z*o : stool

moxtu-dort’un > moxtu-dot’t’un : it seems he came

gverdi > gveddi : half

oxorca > oxocca : woman ; wife

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.4. 2. Gemination resulting from progressive assimilation (AŞ)(ÇX)

In the dialects of Ardeşen and Çxala, the archiphoneme /v/ is often progressively assimilated by /m/.

amvalen > ammalen (AŞ)(ÇX) : he can enter

gamvalen > gammalen (AŞ)(ÇX) : he can go out

ho- + -mvalen > hommalen (ÇX) : he can come

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.5. Geminated consonants out of assimilation

22.2.5.1. Gemination between vowels (ÇM ~ AH)

22.2.5.2. Gemination that seems to happen at the beginning of word (FN)

_____________________________________________________________________________

22.2.5.1. Gemination between vowels (ÇM ~ AH)

[1] In the dialects of Çamlıhemşin-Ardeşen, voiceless consonants before or after accented vowel are often geminated. This phenomenon can be interpreted as one of salient features of accent in these dialects.

p’ut’uci/ p’ut’t’uci (ÇM)(AŞ) : bee

t’ut’uci/ t’ut’t’uci (ÇM)(AŞ) : nettle

3’endeç’i/ 3’endeç’ç’i (ÇM)(AŞ) : socks

vrosi/ vrossi (ÇM)(AŞ) : good, well

domi3’u/ domi3’3’u (ÇM)(AŞ) : tell me

[2] In the dialects of Fındıklı-Arhavi, some rare cases of voiceless geminated consonants are observed before accented vowel.

k’uk’k’u (FN)(AH) : cuckou

haşşo (AH) : in this way

heşşo (AH) : in that way

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.5.2. Gemination that seems to happen at the beginnng of word (FN)

Following expression is found in “Lazuri P’aramitepe (= Laz tales)” (Nurdoğan Demir Abaşişi, İstanbul, 2005) p.172.

ma si k’k’orom (FN-Sumla) : I love you

The author whom we joined by phone said : « I prefered to write two k’ because we pronounce often at a breath ma si-k’k’orom when we want to emphasize. » Contrary to the appearance, the gemination is produced between vowels inside a rhythm unity.

_____________________________________________________________________________

22.2.6. Epenthetical consonant /y/ [ j ]

22.2.6.1. komoxti-y-i ?

22.2.6.2. /y/ appearing after disparition of /r/ etc

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.6.1. komoxti-y-i ?

When there is a vowel before the postfix {-i} (= interrogation marker), a slite /y/ (= [j]) is sometimes heard between vowels. It is a epenthetical semivowel without any semantic function.

komoxti-y-i ? (= komoxti-i ?) : did you come ?

igzalu-y-i ? (= igzalu-i ?) : did he go ?

We do not write this semivowel in this work, and in “Laz dictionary http://ayla7.free.fr/laz/index.html”.

______________________________________________________________________

22.2.6.2. /y/ appearing after disparition of /r/ etc

The phoneme /y/, which appears frequently where /r/, /x’/ or /x’v/ have disappeared between vowels, is also an epenthetical semivowel. (*)

mtu(y)i (ÇM-Mek’alesk’irit) : rat ; mouse

cf : mtuci (PZ), mturi (FN-Ç’anapet), mtugi (FN ~ ÇX)

iyen (PZ)(ÇM)(AŞ)(FN-Ç’anapet) : he becomes

cf : iven (FN)(AH) ; ix’ven (HP)(ÇX)

(*) This analysis does not concern the morpheme {-y} appearing in place of {-ms}, {-rs} etc　at the end of verbs in the dialects of Pazar-Çamlıhemşin-Ardeşen.

●●● It happens that /y/ appears where /x’/ has disappeared at the beginning of a verb as in the example below.

azums (FN) ~ yazums (PZ) : he saws ; he planes wood

cf : x’azums (HP)(ÇX)

Obviously it is not an epenthetical semivowel. It is very probable that this phoneme has appeared in certain dialects by analogy with the potential mood forms of the same verb.

aazen (FN) ~ ayazen (PZ) : he can saw ; he can plane wood

cf : ax’azen (HP)(ÇX)

______________________________________________________________________