Linguistic Inquiry
Fall 1999, Vol. 30, No. 4, Pages 573-585
(doi: 10.1162/002438999554219)
Reduplicative Identity in Chaha
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Abstract
The article discusses the process of continuant dissimilation that derives [k] from /x/ in Chaha (a Western Gurage language of Ethiopia) and its implications for reduplicative identity. It is argued that two correspondence relations are crucial to an adequate analysis of the process: base-reduplicant correspondence and output-output correspondence. Chaha provides a clear instance of “back copy” in which the output of reduplication triggers a change in the base.