Studies on Comparative Phonology of Highland East Cushitic Languages

Abstract

This review presents a comparative analysis of studies on the phonological systems of Highland East Cushitic languages (Alaaba, Burji, Kambaata, Gedeo, Hadiyya,Libido/Marek’o, K’abeena, Sidaama and T’imbaaro). Comparative method is employed to get the relevant data on the findings of the available studies. Then, peculiar features ofthe languages are indicated based on the findings. Accordingly, the different phonological aspects which make the target languages similar or different are assessed inthe review. There are high similarities in phonemic inventories; there are unidentified statuses of some sounds either as phonemic or as phonetic; there are very common syllable structures among the cognates of the target languages; consonant clusters varyfrom language to language; vowel and consonant phonemes with high frequencies basedon lexicostatistical findings are identified; and, stress placements and consonant positions in the cognates are different across the languages. Based on the discussion provided and findings of the review, possible research gaps and controversies are identified with recommendations for further investigation into the sound systems of the languages.