NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: Dogrib, linguistics, phonology

Objective(s): The field project involves an investigation of several aspects of the phonology or sound system of Dogrib (Athapaskan). Dogrib, like many other Northern Athapaskan languages, has not been thoroughly described; the phonological system in particular has received very little attention. At present, the language is changing rapidly and field work is imperative before the conservative speech of the elders is lost. A study of linguistic variation is important in Dogrib since there are marked differences in pronunciation between generations and communities. Also this study will look more generally at the syllable structure and tonomechanics of the language. Syllable structure and tone placement are important components of the language system and thus their description is essential to understanding the grammar.

Project Description: The research involves two months of fieldwork in the N.W.T. where I will be consulting with native speaker consultants of different dialect and generational groups. Rae-Edzo is the largest of the Dogrib communities, and speakers from all of the different communities are represented there. Initial data collection will come from interviews with speakers in Rae-Edzo, and possibly in other Dogrib communities including Rae Lakes, Lac LaMartre, & Snare Lake. These interviews involve elicitation of individual lexical items and texts for linguistic description and comparison. Project will also contribute to ongoing work on a Dogrib dictionary.