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(13) a. = = = = = C=@( C=@( C=@( C=@( =C>= =C>= =C>= =C>=
1PL.INCL go:SUBJ to-chez PN
‘Let’s go to Magba’s house.’
b. = = = = K(CK( K(CK( K(CK( K(CK( B B B B @ @ @ @
give:IMP water BEN 1SG 1SG drink:SUBJ
‘Give me water (in order that) I drink.’
Stative (STAT). In the stative aspect, the first syllable of the verb root is
reduplicated and prefixed to the verb. The vowel of the reduplicant is lengthened (cf.
14b), and bears a HL pattern. The vowel of the verb root bears a L tone:
(14) a. ( ( ( ( 5K(K5K 5K(K5K 5K(K5K 5K(K5K
SS RED:STAT-bitter:STAT
‘It is bitter.’
b. ?=BA( ?=BA( 5K(
5K(
coffee bitter:NF
‘The coffee is bitter.’
Certainty (CERT). In the certainty mood, the first syllable of the verb root is
reduplicated and prefixed to the verb. The vowel of the reduplicant is lengthened, and
bears a HM pattern. The first vowel of the verb root bears a M tone, and following
vowels bear a L tone:
(15) ( ( ( ( K(KKHK K(KKHK K(KKHK K(KKHK
SS RED:CERT-be.slippery:CERT
‘It is slippery.’
3.3 Distribution of tones
3.3.1 Distribution in the syllable
In this section, I look at the co-occurrence of a consonant with a following tone.
In some languages, voiced obstruents are referred to depressor consonants. These are
followed by a L tone, including in situations where one would expect a non-L tone. This
could be looked at as the insertion of a L tone or the maintenance of a L tone in the
position after a depressor consonant. Voiced sonorants and implosives rarely pattern with
the voiced obstruents with respect to these effects (cf. Hyman 1975: 228).
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