ts̪ʰ/ ts̪/ dz̪ --チベット系諸言語における歯-後部歯茎破擦音--

Abstract

This article primarily aims to describe newly recognised sounds: denti-postalveolar affricates [ts̪ʰ/ ts̪/ dz̪]. It first introduces a methodology for the phonetic description for undocumented Tibeto-Burman (or Asian) languages beyond the regulation of International Phonetic Alphabet, by reviewing the definition and the use of several phonetic symbols such as ȵ and ɬ. Then, it defines the articulatory manner of denti-postalveolar affricates and their symbols through a contrast with postalveolar affricates [tʃ/ dʒ]. Next, it discusses the target sounds attested in Jintang Tibetan, a Tibetic language belonging to Rongbrag Khams spoken in the east of Darmdo Municipality, Kandze Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The article describes cases in the Changxu dialect of Jintang Tibetan and then compares related sounds of several dialects in Rongbrag Tibetan as well as Literary Tibetan. It concludes that the phonemes /ts̪ʰ, ts̪, dz̪/ correspond to Literary Tibetan c/ ch/ j, for which various sound correspondences such as prepalatal affricates and retroflex affricates are attested in Rongbrag Tibetan, and then proposes a hypothetical sound change process: prepalatal affricates > denti-postalveolar affricates > retroflex affricates.