Introduction

This chapter proposes CV structures for the place class. I use the term location, as well as place and sometimes colour. Place elements are mostly relevant for the syllabic head positions, because syllabic dependents (bridge, coda), as has been proposed and motivated in the previous chapter, have limited distinctive location. Liquid consonants in the bridge do not require distinctive place specification, but we have seen in Chapter 4 that glides and perhaps nasals may require a distinction between coronal and labial. This would also appear to be needed for the coda position. In this chapter, I follow the same structure as for the chapter on manner (which I will also follow in the next chapter when I discuss the laryngeal class).

Edge (onset head): obstruents

As usual, I first introduce the structure for the head class, starting with consonants in onset head position, recognising major places (labial, coronal, dorsal), albeit with a division of coronal into posterior and anterior. This, of course, is not new at all, but what is important is that this four-way distinction can be broken down in a double two-way split that is predicted by the RCVP model. (Pharyngeal consonants will be represented as lacking a major place in § 5.2.3.) I then proceed with the dependent class, which essentially accounts for finer distinctions, including what are traditionally called ‘secondary articulations’.

Edge (onset head): head class

The head class, as we expect, allows for four place options. The first split is that between coronal and peripheral, each of which can be subject to a further split:

While languages usually have consonants at the coronal, dorsal and labial places of articulation, the typical fourth places are palato-alveolar/palatal or uvular, according to Gordon (2016: 46). A division between front coronals and back coronals is made with the second split in the coronal area. However, the front–back distinction can take different forms, as long as there is a relative difference along the front–back axis. A broad denti-alveolar contact (which practically implies that the articulation is laminal) can contrast with post-alveolar, but dental can thus contrast with alveolar.