On the independence of tonogenesis in Patkaian branches

Abstract Tonogenesis for Tangsa-Nocte has previously been described as likely derived from phonation distinctions in the proto-language, where aspiration and voicing played no part ( van Dam 2018 ). With newly published Wancho data ( Losu & Morey 2023 ), a direct tone correspondence can be shown between Tangsa-Nocte and Wancho. Phom ( Burling & Phom 1998 ) shows a similar correspondence. The situation differs when considering Southeast Patkaian varieties such as Lainong and Khiamniungan; a correspondence pattern can still be found, but only when taking into account features like voicing and aspiration which had no role in Tangsa-Nocte tonogenesis. Khiamniungan also lacks the checked-tone category found elsewhere in Patkaian and other Mainland Southeast Asian languages. This paper will show how tonogenesis can be explained for the entirety of Patkaian (Northern Naga) as distinct tonogenetic events based on common pre-tonal features such as voicing, aspiration, and phonation in the proto language.