The rules of previous columns make phonemic analysis, the reduction of a spoken language to an unambiguous writing system, almost automatic. The emphasis here is on “almost.” This column explores some examples (by no means all) that an anthropologist may encounter in field work with languages and texts. Ultimately all phonemic solutions need to be checked by the native speakers' intuitions and linguistic experts with an interest in practical solutions.
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References
1.
Hoijer, H.1945. Navaho phonology. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Publications in Anthropology.
2.
Werner, O.2000a. How to reduce an unwritten language to writing: I. Field Methods12 (1): 61–71.
3.
Werner, O.2000b. How to reduce an unwritten language to writing: II. Consonants. Field Methods12 (3): 239–250.
4.
Werner, O.2001. How to reduce an unwritten language to writing: III. Phonetic similarity, suspicious pairs, and minimal pairs. Field Methods13 (1): 97–102.
5.
Werner, O.2002. How to reduce an unwritten language to writing: IV. Complementary distribution. Field Methods14 (2): 241–251.
