A phonological investigation of Sanzari Boro

Abstract This study attempts to investigate the phonological structures of Sanzari Boro (SB), a variety of Boro, a Tibeto-Burman language that is mainly spoken in the state of Assam in the North East India. This paper highlights the phonological processes in SB that have emerged due to geographical as well as social factors and language contact. This research is based on the data collected from 10 native speakers. The analysis of data reveals that although Standard Boro and SB have similarities in some features, they contain some evident differences too. A closer investigation of data establishes that SB has maximum number of phonemes as compared to any other variety of Boro and it has three distinct tones that have been observed in monosyllabic words. Declustering is facilitated through epenthesis. Phonological processes like deletion, insertion, assimilation, weakening and strengthening, metathesis and substitution are operational in formation of SB words.