Baate (Wello) Oromo Phonology: Palatalization of Alveo-dental Consonants and Related Issues

Wello Oromo is one of the least described dialects of the Oromo language. The thesis describes the palatalization process of alveo-dental consonants in respect with Baate (officially "Baati") variety ofWello Oromo. Data were collected in two ways; by interviewing and by recording stories, conversations, etc.. The data are described in the framework of autosegmental phonology (see chapter 1.0). A descriptive overview of roots, stems and affixes that are relevant in the discussion of the palatalization process is also given (see chapter 2.0). The process which changes root-final semi-vowel y followed by nasal consonant !! to no is described in terms of recursive assimilatory process (see chapter 3.0). In previous work on Oromo, it is usually assumed that consonant ! begins the causative morpheme of Oromo. And this ! is thought to condition the palatalization of a preceding alveo-dental obstruent or lateral !- In this thesis, evidence is presented that the causative morpheme in Oromo begins with i and not with ! at underlying representation (see chapter 4.0). This assumption, could, therefore, well account for the palatalization of the alveo-dental obstruents and lateral ! (see chapter 5.0). In general it is established that consonants, !! , ! , g , ! , !' and ! are palatalized in the environment of an underlying high front vowel i or palatal semivowel y that may or may not directly appear on the surface. This is also in agreement with universal assumptions ab(?ut palatalization processes across languages. Also other related issues to the palatalization process are addressed in every chapter of the thesis. It is hoped that the study adds to our knowledge of Oromo and may also provide further material and analysis towards comparative study of Oromo dialectology which is currently not well understood.