Nhanta historical phonology*

Abstract

Nhanta is an Aboriginal language of Western Australia which has received little study and is currently on the verge of extinction. Nhanta is unique among the Kartu languages in displaying evidence of initial consonant loss, sonorant fortition (of laterals and rhotics), a length contrast in obstruents, and a distinctive glottal stop. In this paper, we propose sound changes which have given rise to these unique features, based on the comparative method and internal reconstruction, and discuss their implications for phonological theory within the Australian historical context.

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