Question

Which of the option/s can be applied to the following sound change rule? \( k \rightarrow ? / \_ \# \)

• A. Lenition
• B. Assimilation
• C. Debuccalization
• D. Velarization

Hint:

- Lenition involves weakening sounds (e.g., a stop like "k" becoming a glottal stop [ipa{?}]). - Debuccalization changes sounds to ones produced in the glottis (e.g., replacing "k" with [ipa{?}] or [h]).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, C

Step 1: Understanding the Sound Change Rule
The rule \( k \rightarrow ? / \_ \# \) suggests that the sound "k" changes when it occurs in the word-final position (indicated by the underscore and hash symbol \("_\#"\)). The task is to identify the phonological processes that could apply to this change.
Step 2: Analyzing Lenition
Lenition involves the softening or weakening of consonants, often changing stops like "k" into fricatives or glottal stops in some environments.
Since "k" occurs at the end of the word, it is likely to be weakened or softened to a glottal stop [ipa{?}] or a fricative like [h] in some languages, which fits the lenition process.
Therefore, Lenition (A) is a valid option because it describes a weakening process.
Step 3: Analyzing Assimilation
Assimilation refers to the process where a sound changes to become more like an adjacent sound. For example, voicing or place of articulation may shift to match neighboring sounds.
However, in the given rule, there is no indication of a neighboring sound influencing the change of "k." The rule applies specifically to "k" in a word-final position without reference to adjacent sounds.
- Hence, Assimilation (B) is not applicable in this case.
Step 4: Analyzing Debuccalization
Debuccalization refers to the process where a consonant, often a velar sound like "k," is replaced by a sound produced in the glottal area (such as a glottal stop [ipa{?}] or fricative [h]).
Since "k" is changing in the final position and could become a glottal stop or fricative, this transformation is an example of debuccalization.
Therefore, Debuccalization (C) is a correct answer because it involves the change of "k" to a sound produced in the glottal area.
Step 5: Analyzing Velarization
Velarization refers to a process where a sound is articulated with the back of the tongue against the velum (the soft part of the roof of the mouth), which typically applies to sounds like [k], [g], or [Å‹].
The given rule does not indicate any change in articulation that involves velar coarticulation or a shift to a velar place of articulation. Therefore, Velarization (D) does not apply in this case.
Conclusion
After analyzing the options, the correct processes for the rule \( k \rightarrow ? / \_ \# \) are:
Lenition (A): The weakening of the "k" sound, possibly to a glottal stop or fricative.
Debuccalization (C): The change of "k" to a glottal stop or fricative, produced in the glottal area.
Thus, the correct answers are:
(A) Lenition
(C) Debuccalization