Nasal vowels in Latundê (northern Nambikwara)

Abstract

This work presents the nasal vowels in Latundê, a Brazilian indigenous language, family Northen Nambikwara, that is spoken in Rondônia state, by homonymous group. In Latundê there are six nasal vowels, three of which are nasal/creacky voice. The occurrence of these vowels is restricted to the position of the accent. In the un stressed syllable the nasal contrast is neutralized. Another aspect involving the nasal vowels is related to the presence of nasal coda following the nasal vowel. However, the opposition in the same linguistic context and the existence of some cases of nasal vowels without a nasal consonant in the coda position shows the phonological status of nasal vowels in Latundê.