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Prefix Reform: Difference between revisions
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'''Prefix Reform''' is a proposal by [[uakci]] to change how [[prefix]]es interact with the stems of words. | '''Prefix Reform''' is a proposal by [[uakci]] to change how [[prefix]]es interact with the stems of words. | ||
Note: the two parts of the proposal, [[#Spelling changes|Spelling changes]] and [[#Pronunciation changes|Pronunciation changes]], could be considered independently of each other. | |||
==Reasons== | ==Reasons== | ||
#Prefixes currently act weird. | #Prefixes currently act weird. | ||
##They are unable to interact with {{Done|3}}. This proposal would allow prefixes to go on words with {{done|3}} | ##They are unable to interact with {{Done|3}}. This proposal would allow prefixes to go on words with {{done|3}}. | ||
##It is unclear how exactly they affect vocalic length. Plus, those interactions are often quite subtle and easily missed – consider {{t|bộtao}} vs. {{t|bô'otao}}. This makes prefixes hard to teach and possibly discouraging to a new learner trying to produce them in speech. | ##It is unclear how exactly they affect vocalic length. Plus, those interactions are often quite subtle and easily missed – consider {{t|bộtao}} vs. {{t|bô'otao}}. This makes prefixes hard to teach and possibly discouraging to a new learner trying to produce them in speech. | ||
#The current spelling of prefixes is not computer-friendly. They are difficult (if not impossible) to type for many and some characters, like {{T|ı̣}} often do not display correctly in many fonts. This proposal would allow for easier input and guarantee compatibility with most good fonts. | #The current spelling of prefixes is not computer-friendly. They are difficult (if not impossible) to type for many and some characters, like {{T|ı̣}} often do not display correctly in many fonts. This proposal would allow for easier input and guarantee compatibility with most good fonts. | ||
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==Pronunciation changes== | ==Pronunciation changes== | ||
Stress the first syllable of the stem rather than the prefix, separating the stem from the prefixes. | Stress the first syllable of the stem rather than the prefix, separating the stem from the prefixes. Stressed syllables should be louder and/or longer and/or more extreme in terms of the tone contour.) Prefixes should be pronounced unstressed, with its tone “anticipating” the stem’s contour. For example, if the stem starts high, the prefixes should be high. If the stem starts lower, the prefixes should be there as well. Unstressed syllables should strive to be quiet, short(ened), and minimal in terms of tone contour or just pronounced as level tone. | ||
Illustrative examples: | Illustrative examples: | ||