Nasal transfer in Hmongic

Abstract

Hmongic languages exhibit a single nasal coda -ŋ corresponding to three codas in Mienic: -m, n, -ŋ, which suggests that Hmongic languages have lost place distinctions in nasal codas. However, in some words, Hmongic syllables with a nasal coda -ŋ correspond to Mienic syllables with no nasal coda, which has been recognized as posing a problem in reconstructing Proto-Hmong-Mien. This paper provides an explanation for this exceptional correspondence by hypothesizing a phonological change in Proto-Hmongic and in later stages whereby nasality transfers from a syllable-initial nasal to a tautosyllabic coda. This paper also explores the Proto-Hmongic rime categories to which the relevant words would be expected to belong if the nasal transfer did not apply.