Notes on Mada Phonology (Language Data, African Series, Vol. 23)

Mada is spoken in southeastern Nigeria and is a member of the Benue-Congo subfamily of languages. Discusses the Mada syllable, interpretation of segments, structure, tone, phonemes, and orthography. Includes Mada text and a Swadesh word list.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. The Syllable
2. The Interpretation of Segments
   • 2.1 Vocalic sequences
   • 2.2 Consonant plus sonorant
   • 2.3 Prenasalization
   • 2.4 Palatalization
   • 2.5 Labialization
   • 2.6 Consonant plus liquid
   • 2.7 Affricates
   • 2.8 Labial-velar approximant
   • 2.9 Labial-palatal approximants
   • 2.10 CN syllables
3. Structure of the Word
4. Tone
5. Phonemes
   • 5.1 Labial contrasts
   • 5.2 Alveolar contrasts
   • 5.3 Velar and labial-velar contrasts
   • 5.4 Contrasts with labialization
   • 5.5 Contrasts with palatalization
   • 5.6 Vocalic contrasts
6. Allophone Statements
7. Mada Orthography
8. A Mada text
9. The Swadesh 100-Word List
10. A dialect comparison of one-syllable word

References