A Synchronic and Historical Look at Aklanon Phonology

Abstract

Akeanon features a phoneme unique relative to many Philippine-type languages, which is a reflex of the proto-Bisayan *l and *-d-. This was initially described as a voiced velar fricative [ɣ], and later repositioned as both a consonant of an onset and a semivowel of a coda. Half a century later it was reaffirmed as mainly a semivowel. Based on these descriptions of Akeanon, more questions arise as per the true nature of the phoneme in focus. This paper hence provides both a review and reevaluation of Akeanon phonology based on synchronic distribution, dialectology, historical accounts, and acoustic analysis. Results point to the phoneme as a velar approximant [ɰ]. Further recommendations on both descriptive and applied contexts are provided.