Consonant mutation in Nzema and Esahie

This study examines consonant mutation particularly in Esahie1 and Nzema. The reason for the
study arises from the mutuality in the two languages. Again, previous studies have superficially
treated this subject in the separate languages. However, the subject of consonant mutation is
common in the above languages, yet the prevailing characteristics of the phenomenon are similar and dissimilar in the languages. Thus, this study compares and contrast consonant mutation
in the two related languages to establish a correlation. In this vein, it discusses the mutational
pattern, directionalities and voicing. Data for this study are assembled from four native speakers
of each of the languages and literature of the respective languages. The data are analysed within
the purview of Distinctive Feature Theory. The study identifies evidence to the relational effect
that, the phonological environments in which the various realizations of mutation occurs also
results in a harmony system. However, they differ in their mutational domains. The featural
agreement normally forges between the vowel-consonant. Again, it is observed in Nzema and
Esahie that, the common feature responsible for mutation in the alternant pairs, [k/x] and [k/g]
is [dorsal]; [d/l] and [d/n] is [coronal]; [ʨ/ɕ] is [+strident] and [b/m] is [labial]. In both languages, harmonic assimilation is bidirectional.