Moraic mismatches in Somali phonology

This paper reconsiders the moraic status of coda consonants in Somali. It is argued that Somali joins a growing list languages presenting challenge to Moraic Uniqueness Hypothesis. Several phenomena are explored suggest exhibits mismatches whereby moras associated with segments different types contribute to, or “count” differently for particular phonological processes. Evidence support this proposal drawn from literature on tonology and poetic metrics, but also word shape minimality requirements, distribution syllable shapes words. an approach phonology permits reference segment offers unified more transparent account language’s segmental tonal phenomena. Notably, such precludes assumption “early” consonant moraicity followed by global dissociation consonantal rule before high tone assignment, as earlier work. The findings presented here illustrate standing points view role mora must be reconfigured.