Vowel Phonology of Tungusic Languages

Abstract

The phonology in vowels while narrowing to Tungusic language, shows that there are two types i.e. vowel tenseness and vowel roundedness. Tungusic languages exhibit a complex pattern of vowel harmony, based on these parameters. This paper offers a point by point depiction and clarification of the vowel phonology of the Oroqen dialect, counting its vowel framework, concordance designs, palatalization and labialization caused by vowels, and limitations on vowel length. A careful study on the vowel contrasts from both diachronic and synchronic perspective will show that the languages of the third sub-type well preserved the original vowels, while some vowels in other two sub-type of languages – which acquired different vowel length and diphthong or triphthongs – are due to the compensatory mechanism. Author has compared the vowel frameworks and harmony designs of the complete Manchu-Tungus dialect bunch through this research manuscript.