The syllable structure of Amazigh dialects: An Optimality-Theoretic variation approach

Adopting an Optimality-theoretic variation approach, the present paper explores syllabic variation in two Amazigh dialects. The proposed treatment is an attempt to fill a gap in the literature on variation in Amazigh linguistics. In fact, in addition to the comparative studies already conducted, the present paper focuses on variation at the level of the syllable. The comparison of a dialect from the south (ITB) and one from the north (AWTB) reveals two differences between the two focal phonological systems. On the one hand, the absence/presence of schwa leads the two systems to have partially different constraint rankings. On the other hand, the presence of complex codas in AWTB and simple codas in ITB is due to the presence of schwa in the former dialect and its absence in the latter. Moreover, the fact that only vowels can be heads of syllables in AWTB and the suitability of consonants to head syllables in ITB results in distinct rearrangement of associational and faithfulness constraints. All in all, the study of syllabic variation paves the path to understand variation in Amazigh linguistics. Revue Langues et Littératures, Vol. 22 (2012)