Domains and directionality in Kinande vowel harmony: a Correspondence approach

Abstract

The ATR vowel harmony patterns observed in Kinande have received persistent attention for their non-canonical properties, such as a combination of stem control and dominance, dominance reversal, and optional extension of the harmonic domain from that of the prosodic word to a nominal phrase (DP). A full optimality-theoretic account of the complex patterns has, however, not yet been developed. We fill this gap and argue that a Syntagmatic Correspondence approach paired with domain limitations of constraints captures the Kinande harmony pattern in all its complexity, providing strong support for this approach to vowel harmony.