Alekano language
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Alekano, or Gahuku (Gahuku-Gama), is a Papuan language spoken in Gahuku Rural LLG of Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. There are about 25,000 speakers.[1]
Alekano is also known as Gahuku, after the name of the largest clan of speakers, or Gama, after the second largest clan. Calling the language by these names has been rejected by speakers who are not members of these clans. Alekano was proposed as a suitable new name by the linguist Ellis Deibler, and it might be considered the official name by linguists. The name is almost unknown to speakers of the Gahuku and Gama clans. "Alekano" means "bring it". In two closely related languages spoken directly to the northwest, Tokano and Dano, it has the same meaning.[2][3]
Phonology
Alekano has 5 vowels, all unrounded, which is exceptional. It has 12 consonants, but Script error: No such module "IPA". is found only in the village Wanima, in derivations or in pidgin loanwords.[4]
Vowels
| Front | Back | |
|---|---|---|
| High | Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link |
| Mid | Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link |
| Low | Template:IPA link |
Glottal coda
In Alekano, a syllable may be closed only with a glottal stop, as in Script error: No such module "IPA". "enough". That is currently not treated as a consonant, but it is unclear if words written as vowel initial begin with a glottal stop. It is written as an acute accent in the orthography, for example, ánesí.[3]
Consonants
| Bilabial | Alveolar | Velar | Glottal | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal | Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link | |||
| Plosive | Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link | ||
| Approximant | Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link~Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link | |
| Sibilant | voicelessScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPA link | |||
| voicedScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPA link | ||||
The lateral is Template:IPAblink initially and Template:IPAblink between vowels.
Syllables
The most complex syllables are of the form Script error: No such module "IPA".: VV may be a diphthong of Script error: No such module "IPA"., Script error: No such module "IPA"., or Script error: No such module "IPA". followed by Script error: No such module "IPA". or Script error: No such module "IPA"., or of Script error: No such module "IPA".. Other vowels may also occur in sequence (hiatus).
Tone
Alekano has low and high tones but with a very low functional load. HL receives strong stress, LH lesser stress.
Grammar
Alekano is a subject–object–verb (SOV) language.[5]
Orthography
Alekano uses the Latin script.[4]
| IPA | ɑ | e | ɣ | h | i | k | l | m | n | ɤ | p | s | z | t | ɯ | β |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | Aa | Ee | Gg | Hh | Ii | Kk | Ll | Mm | Nn | Oo | Pp | Ss | Zz | Tt | Uu | Vv |
References
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- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Deibler, Ellis W. 1987. "The function of glottal stop in Gahuku." In John M. Clifton (ed.), Studies in Melanesian orthographies, 23-30. Data Papers on Papua New Guinea Languages, 33. Ukarumpa: Summer Institute of Linguistics. [1] Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- ↑ a b Deibler, Ellis W., compiler. Available: 2008; Created: 2008. Dictionaries of Alekano - English and English - Alekano. [Manuscript] iii, 311 p. [2] Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- ↑ a b 1992. Alekano Organised Phonology Data. [Manuscript] [3] Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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External links
- Alekano dictionary Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- An open access archive of Alekano audio and video are available through the Kaipuleohone.
Template:Kainantu–Goroka languages Script error: No such module "Authority control".