Depression without depressors

Abstract

David Rycroft observed in his studies of Swati tonal structure that it is unique amongst the Nguni languages in having lexically conditioned cases of tonal depression following non-depressor consonants such as /f s sh c t/. Production and perception data suggest that such tones are not the same as rising high tones following depressor consonants but are sui generis. Swati therefore remains unique, but the tonal facts need re-analysis in the light of the present findings.