The Phonological System of TumɁi

As part of a linguistic research team I recorded Khoisan language currently spoken by three people in the Northern Cape province South Africa. Since variety this location is close to varieties both Khoekhoe and Tuu families, question genetic affiliation classification within cluster becomes significant. Although reported have significant lexical similarities due intensive contact (Güldemann 2006), extensive provides evidence numerous differences which distinguish between families mentioned above (Beach 1938, Bleek 1930, Ladefoged & Traill 1994, Miller, Brugman, Sands, Namaseb, Exter Collins 2007). Overall, project attempts answer question: How unique undocumented TumɁi comparison geographically neighbouring clusters? This comparative analysis comprised detailed description vowel consonant systems, as well phonetic phonological contrasts. The clear focus on sound contrasts consequence limited data speaker competence. result intense incomplete acquisition attrition, consultants produce utterances using content words an Afrikaans framework (Killian 2009). Specific questions include: What inventory language? Are there phonation or glottalization vowels? laryngeal consonants? kinds clicks make up inventory? direct effort toward revitalization documentation indigenous languages. Determining affiliations positioned relatively equidistant surrounding languages, would also contribute gaps isoglosses