Strengthening and Weakening of Tone in Igbo: A Descriptive Analysis

Abstract

Tone is a very important aspect of Igbo phonology because of its lexical and grammatical functions in distinguishing meaning in the language. Over the years, scholars have conducted extensive research on Igbo tone from various perspectives. Previous studies have also examined strengthening and weakening as phonological processes involving segmental phonemes. In this paper, the Igbo tonal system is re-examined in order to establish that these processes also involve suprasegmental features, particularly tone, during connected speech. Data obtained from Igbo texts and the Ọmambala speech varieties of the Igbo language were analysed descriptively. The results reveal that in Igbo speech production, the phonological processes of weakening and strengthening involve both segmental phonemes and suprasegmental features (tone).