Synchronically unexpected /n/ in the Balochi dialect of Iranshahr

Abstract

Through the passage of time, changes take place in any language. Balochi has experienced historical changes in different layers of its structure. The aim of this article is to describe cases of /n/ in a specific Balochi dialect that are synchronically unexpected because, for instance, the equivalent word in Persian or in other Balochi dialects does not have an /n/, or there are certain forms in the paradigm of a lexeme that do not contain /n/. The focus is on the dialect spoken in and around the regions of Bompur and Iranshahr in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. The insertion of unetymological /n/ in words with more than one syllable often causes a change of syllable structure from an open to a closed syllable. It is possible that a preference for closed syllables has got the process of /n/ insertion underway. The reason why /n/ is chosen could be that /n/ is available for nasalization of a vowel. This nasal vowel can then be re-interpreted as VC.

Keywords

• Balochi
• phonology
• unetymological /n/
• syllable structure
• nasalization