Malay phonology is characterized by a relatively simple sound system, consisting of 19 consonants and 6 vowel phonemes. The language features a straightforward syllable structure, typically following patterns of V, VC, CV, and CVC. Most native Malay words are disyllabic, with a smaller percentage of mono- and trisyllabic roots. However, due to widespread prefixing and suffixing, words of five or more syllables are common[1]. A notable aspect of Malay phonology is the process of nasal assimilation, particularly evident in verb and noun derivations with prefixes like "meng-" and "peng-".
To be specific, Malay phonology is characterized by:
- A relatively simple sound system with 19 consonants and 6 vowel phonemes
- Straightforward syllable structure, typically following patterns of V, VC, CV, and CVC
- Predominantly disyllabic native words, with some mono- and trisyllabic roots
- Common occurrence of words with five or more syllables due to extensive affixation
The syllable structure of Malay has been a subject of debate among linguists. While some scholars argue that the basic Malay syllable structure is (C)V(C), allowing for onsetless syllables[2], others contend that the language belongs to a Type III group with a CV(C) structure, requiring an obligatory onset[3]. Despite this disagreement, there is consensus that Malay generally prefers syllables with onsets, even if this requirement can be violated in certain environments, particularly word-initially and root-internally[2].
Moreover, for the word structures:
- Over 90% of native Malay lexicon consists of disyllabic root morphemes
- Prefixing and suffixing are widespread, leading to many words with 5+ syllables
- In non-final syllables of native words, the coda (C2) is usually either: a) A nasal (homorganic with a following obstruent) b) /r/ before any consonant except /h/, /w/, or /j/[1]
One interesting phonological phenomenon in Malay is the treatment of monosyllabic stems. When these stems undergo affixation with verbal prefixes such as /mN-/ and /di-/, two phonological alternations can occur: vowel lengthening (e.g., /di-pam/ → [dipam] 'to pump (passive)') and schwa epenthesis (e.g., /mN-pam/ → [məmpam] 'to pump (active)')[4]. These processes are thought to be related to the prosodic structure of Malay stems, which is assumed to be a foot. Some analyses propose that so-called monosyllabic stems in Malay are actually lexically disyllabic with an empty initial V-slot in the underlying representation[4].
- ^ a b "Pronunciation of Malay". fass.ubd.edu.bn. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ a b Teoh, B. S. (1994). The Sound System of Malay Revisited. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
- ^ Ahmad, Zaharani (2005). "The phonology-morphology interface in Malay: an optimality theoretic account". Pacific Linguistics (Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University).
- ^ a b Zaharani Ahmad & Nor Hashimah Jalaluddin. (2012). The phonology of words with monosyllabic stems in Malay. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies, 12(4), 1165-1177.