An axiomatic functionalist analysis of the phonology of Yulu

[摘要] This thesis is concerned with the description of Yulu, a languagewhich has not previously been subjected to modern linguistic analysis.Thus this thesis has two important aspects. Firstly, however remote aLanguage, its description adds a valuable contribution to linguisticknowledge. Secondly, its description tests the validity of linguistictheories in general and the theory used in this work in particular; asa linguist should not only be able to describe one universal but anynumber of parallel universes of speech-phenomena, namely differentlanguages or dialects or even idiolects. Since the theory has been instrumentalin describing the phonological system of Yulu in a consistentand adequate manner, it has once again proved its usefulness as a 'general' linguistictheory. The theory applied is that of Professor J. W. F. Mulder and is a sub-component of his 'Axiomatic Functionalist Linguistics'.This thesis is divided into three parts. Part I, dealing with thetheoretical background, comprises twelve chapters, of which the firstfour provide an introduction to the basic principles of axiomaticfunctionalism. The remaining eight chapters introduce the theoreticalnotions of phonological theory and analysis as practised by axiomaticfunctionalists. Chapter I deals with the axiomatic functionalist principleof maintaining a strict distinction between the linguistic theory,linguistic descriptions, and the speech-phenomena and also with the basiccriteria for evaluating both the linguistic theory and linguisticdescriptions. Chapter II, dealing with the 'hypothetico-deductive Method',explains the philosophical principles underlying the axiomatic functionalistapproach, Chapter III deals with 'The origin and scope of the theory'.Chapter IV explains the definition of 'language' as "a semiotic systemwith a 'double articulation'" (Mulder 1968). Chapter V covers 'The domainof phonology'; Chapter VI 'The notion "phoneme" as defined in axiomaticfunctionalism'; Chapter VIII 'The "abstract" approach to phonology';Chapter VIII is concerned with 'Identity and distinctive function ofa phoneme'; Chapter IX with 'Phonematics'; Chapter X with 'Neutralization'and 'archiphoneme'; Chapter XI with 'phonemes and their realizations(allophony)'; and Chapter XII with 'Phonotactics’.Part II, consists of one basic chapter, and is intended to givegeneral background information about Yulu - the language whose phonologicalanalysis we are concerned with in this thesis.Part III, dealing with the actual phonological analysis consists offive chapters. Chapter I deals with 'The phonemes of Yulu and theirrealizations'; Chapter II 'Neutralization' and 'Concord'; Chapter III'Classificatory calculus in Yulu'; Chapter IV 'Phonotactic distributionin Yulu'; and Chapter V 'The tones of Yulu'.

[发布机构] University:The University of St Andrews;Department:Modern Languages (School of)

[效力级别] Functionalism (Linguistics)

[关键词] Yulu language--Phonology;Functionalism (Linguistics)