The Syllable Structure of Gbari

The Gbari syllable structure is attested in literature to be V,N,CV, CNV (CⁿV and CV̴) CNGV,     OGNV or ONGV (Hyman and Magaji,1970; Rosendall, 1990) using articulatory and perceptual measures. This work revisits the syllable structure of Gbari language, a Nupoid language of the new Benue Congo phylum, using an added measure- the acoustic parameter, arguing some stand point of the previous researchers. It examines the doubtful segments finding best justifiable interpretations for proper labeling. The 1700 SIL Comparative African Wordlist (SILCAWL) 2006, a Nexton digital audio recorder is used to elicit data from six respondents (two females and four males) of 30-70 age range.  Phonological observation and analysis coupled with articulatory, perceptual and acoustic parameters are instrumental in the research. The analysis shows ambiguous and questionable CNV structures: a CCV (with C₂ as a palatal nasal consonant, a product of coalescence), a nasally released consonant followed by a vowel (CⁿV) and a consonant followed by a nasalized vowel (CV̴). It is in an attempt to resolve this ambiguity and investigate the status of these structures that the researchers came up with a more validating pattern for the Gbari syllable structure summarized as V, CV and CGV. Where V represents the vowel and the syllabic nasal, CV a consonant (with or without secondary articulation) and a vowel (oral or nasalized); and a CGV (all consonant types realized as a segment followed by a glide and a vowel). Gbari language is rich in phonology and is an interesting area for further research.