The sound systems of Finnic languages, where quantitative contrasts play a central role, are notably complex when considering the combination of length contrasts in phonology, quantity alternations in morphology, and structural compensatory and anticompensatory effects on duration and length in phonetics. The course will focus on the most intricate systems, such as Estonian, Livonian, Ingrian, and Votic. These languages feature multiple typologically rare phenomena: ternary quantity, trisyllabic feet, prosodic gemination of consonants, voiceless vowels, word-final obstruent voicing, and prosodic glottalisation (stød). The course begins with an introduction to the general phonological properties of these languages, along with their history and sociolinguistics (including contact phenomena that promote the spread of certain features). We will then analyse the phonological rarities in these languages, examining phonetic and phonological facts and their possible theoretical interpretations, thereby exploring the boundaries of potential phonological variability in human languages.

Level: Intermediate/slightly advanced