The Phonological System of the Malay Dialect of Saribas Based on Generative Phonology

(Sistem Fonologi Dialek Melayu Saribas Berasaskan Fonologi Generatif)

Abstract

This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach and applying the field research to describe the vowel and consonant inventory of Saribas Malay dialect (DMSbs). The data was collected from ten native speakers of DMSbs in Saratok, Sarawak, using audio recordings. The data shows the existence of only two forms of diphthongs in the surface structure: [ay] and [oy], while the diphthong [aw] only exists in the deep structure. There are two forms of diphthongs in DMSbs. The findings of this study show that the consonant system of DMSbs has special features that are not found in the other Malay dialects, which is the existence of the phoneme /ɣ/, which is produced as a fricative from the dorsal point of articulation. The liquid consonant /l/ and the velar fricative /ɣ/ are not permitted in the coda, as in other Malay dialects. In contrast, the Malay dialects of Kuching and Rejang permit the presence of both phonemes in the coda.

Keywords: vocal, consonant, diphthong, underlying structure, surface structure