Phonological sketch and classification of Lawu, an undocumented Ngwi language of Yunnan

Phonological sketch and classification of Lawu, an undocumented Ngwi language of Yunnan

Blog Article

Lawu is a severely endangered, undocumented Ngwi (Loloish) language spoken in Yunnan, China.This paper presents a preliminary sketch of Lawu phonology based on lexico-phonetic data recorded from two speakers in walkkick 2008, with special attention to the tone splits and mergers that distinguish Lawu from other Ngwi languages.All tone categories except Proto-Ngwi Tone *3, a mid level pitch, have split, conditioned by the voicing igora vibrance 6-12 of the initial segment.

In the conditioning and effect of these tone splits, Lawu shows affinity with other Central Ngwi languages such as Lisu and Lahu and is provisionally classified as a Central Ngwi language.