Consonant Mutation - Ute Language

Ute Language

In the Ute language, also called Southern Paiute, there are three consonant mutations, which are triggered by different word-stems. The mutations are Spirantization, Gemination, and Prenasalization:

Radical Spirantization Gemination Prenasalization
p v pp mp
t r tt nt
k ɣ kk ŋk
kʷ ɣʷ kkʷ ŋkʷ
ts tts nts
s ss
m ŋkʷ mm mm
n nn nn

For example, the absolutive suffix -pi appears in different forms, according to which noun stem it is suffixed to:

  • movi-ppi 'nose'
  • sappI-vi 'belly'
  • aŋo-mpi 'tongue'

Read more about this topic:  Consonant Mutation

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