The influence of tone and affrication on manner: some irregular manner correspondences in the Tamang group

Abstract

The influence of the manner of articulation of initials on tonal development is well established; conversely, apparently irregular correspondences in manner among daughter languages can be the result of the indirect influence of tone and the complexity of onsets. We present three examples from TGTM (the Tamang-Gurung-Thakali-Manangba subgroup of Tibeto-Burman). This subgroup presents a classic case of initial-merger-with-tonal-split, in which the loss of a voicing contrast on initials in a two-tone system led to the development of a four tone system. Where the *voiced series of proto-TGTM normally developed into a voiceless unaspirated series under both proto-tones, in Manangba it developed into an aspirated series under one of the proto-tones and into a voiceless unaspirated series under the other. In Gurung, we find a double conditioning of the manner of the initial by tone and segmental complexity of the onset: *voiced stops have become voiceless under proto-tone *I, but have retained their voicing under proto tone *II, unless they were affricated or followed by a medial, in which case they devoiced. Initial complexity has also influenced manner in Taglung and Risiangku Tamang, and in one word we suspect that it may even have altered the tone category.