Copala Triqui tone lowering in the nominal domain

Abstract

Copala Triqui (Otomanguean) exhibits a number of tone lowering processes in the nominal domain. In this talk, I explore morphosyntactic questions pertaining to the nature of nominal compounds, nominal modification, and possessive structures as well as morphophonological questions pertaining to the nature of tone lowering. Data from complex nominals that combine more than one tone lowering process offer insight into the domain of tone lowering in Copala Triqui with implications for competing theories of grammatical tone.