AHTNA  (South Central Alaska; Na-Dene, Athapaskan)
SYNCHRONIC (ALTERNATIONS)		 For more information about metathesis in this language, click on the following links:
Summary:
a. When a consonant follows the ts' (1st pl.) +c' (indefinite) sequence, metathesis takes place.
b. In the future-negative or optative-negative, the s/z occurs to the right of the gh or gho mode prefix when the subject pronoun slot is empty.
c. Verbs with the i transitional prefix in the future mode undergo metathesis when there is a zero subject pronoun.
Examples
Conditions
Motivation
Additional info
Comments
References
Examples:
(See Comments for key to special characters used.)
a. ts'/c' metathesis: When a consonant follows the ts' (1st pl.) + c' (indefinite) sequence, metathesis takes place. (See Additional info for further processes affecting these consonants.)

    /c'+ts'+t+gh+l+dzes/  >  i'staldzes (CLW)    c'estaldzes (M)

    CLW: Central, Lower, Western Ahtna
    M: Mentasta Ahtna

    cf. No metathesis before a vowel
       'sc'eldzes 'we are dancing'
       'sc'aldziits' 'we danced'

b. z metathesis: In the future-negative or optative-negative, the s/z occurs to the right of the gh or gho mode prefix as the result of metathesis when the subject pronoun slot is empty. Also the z-negative prefix is always s before [.
 

/y + t + z + gh + dzaex + e/  /t + z + gh + es + dzaez + e/ 
z metathesis                  gh    s                  --- 
surface form              [itasdzaeghe]           [dzghasdzaeghe]

         'he won't drink it'           'I won't caulk it'

c. Transitional metathesis: "Verbs with the i transitional prefix in the future mode undergo either a metathesis, when there is zero subject pronoun, or a vowel reduplication, when subject pronoun is present." (Kari 1990)

a) t/d + i + gh + [  -->  i + t/d + gh + [
/na # y + t + i + gh + L + taeL/  >      nayitaLtaeL 'he will find him'
/na # y + t + d + i + gh + tiiL/  >      naydidatiiL  'he will find it'

b) t + i + gh + X  -->  i + t + V + gh + X (where X is a prefix in subject position)
/na # t + i + gh + es + L + taeL/ >     na'itaaLtaeL  'I will find him'
/na # t + i + gh + i + L + taeL/ >     na'itighiLtaeL  'you will find him'

Theoretical Accounts:
No information currently available.
Phonetic Motivation:
No information currently available.
Additonal information:
a. lenition: ts' and 'c are realized as 's and i', respectively, before a consonant.
/ts' + t + gh + yiiL/ >         'stayiiL  'we will eat it'
/c' + t + gh + yiiL/ >         i'tayiiL  'he will eat something'

b. t deaspiration: In the future mode the t-inceptive prefix becomes d- if it is followed by V + d or a z -prefix.
/ts' + t + i + d + gh + l + ts'iiL/ >   'sdidalts'iiL 'we will stay'
/t + z + gh + es + tsiiL + e/  >   'ele' dzghaLtsiile 'I won't make it'

Comments:
Special Symbols:
L = voiceless lateral fricative
'  = glottal stop 

Last updated: 2/16/2001
References:
  • Kari, James. 1990. Ahtna Athabaskan Dictionary. Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center.
  • Kari, James. 1979. Athabaskan Verb Theme Categories: Ahtna. Alaska Native Language Center Research Papers, Number 2. Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center.
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