Abstract

PACHECO, Vera; OLIVEIRA, Marian  and  DE JESUS RIBEIRO, Priscila. IN SEARCH OF MELODY NORTHEAST: THE PRETONIC MIDDLE VOWELS OF THE BAHIA DIALECT. Lingüística [online]. 2013, vol.29, n.1, pp.165-187. ISSN 2079-312X.

In this study, our objective is to evaluate the middle vowels (E.O) found in pretonic syllables in the dialect of Bahia States, Brazil, at Vitoria da Conquista. We propose to investigate (i) if the occurrence of this vowel is due to vowel harmony and (ii) if it have relation about its occurrences and the "different" talk of this dialect. Our analyses suggest the open middle vowels that occur in this city are not products of vowel harmony, but of the vocalic neutralization. It is most abundant in pretonic position and occurs in the absence of enabling environment. Our results support the hypothesis that the variation of F₀ that occurs exclusively in the open middle vowels of pretonic syllable may be the basis of "different" talk typical of this dialect, as well as of the great relative duration found in the pretonic syllables vowels

Keywords : middle vowels; vowel harmony; fundamental frequency.

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