(Department of Languages and Linguistics, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2016-12-09) Abraham, David A.; Ashikeni, Thomas Ogah; Dalhatu, Abigail
This paper, entitled “ Euphonic and syllable structure processes in
Gbagyi” is an investigation of the effect of adjacent sounds on each
other, their peculiar patterns and the syllable structure processes in
Gbagyi language. A descriptive analytical method was used to elicit
data using the Blench word list as instrument for collection of data.
This research revealed that in Gbagyi language, a consonant is
palatalized before a front high vowel, a consonant is labialized before a
rounded vowel, the vowels of Gbagyi are constrained by a partial
harmony system, a vowel is lengthened when it occurs before a
consonant or before another vowel of the same kind, the final vowel of
a verb stem is deleted before a noun or nominal which begins with a
vowel. These findings no doubt contribute to the description of the
sound systems of Gbagyi and the discipline of Phonology in general.