A Three-pattern Accent System in Hateruma Ryukyuan

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the Hateruma Ryukyuan accent system. Although many previous works have claimed that Hateruma has a two-pattern accent system, some recent studies have hypothesized that it has a three- or four-pattern accent system. In the first part of this paper, we will address the synchronic topics. We will substantiate that Hateruma has the three-pattern accent system through F0 pictures. We will also show that adjectives and compound words can have two accents in a single word.

In the latter part of the paper, we will discuss diachronic topics. Based on the Keiretsubetsu-Goi (categorized vocabulary) and word-initial phonemes, we found that one can reliably predict a word’s accent pattern. This is true of not only Hateruma Ryukyuan but also Shiraho Ryukyuan. By comparing these two languages, we conclude that Hateruma has retained its accent system for more than 250 years.