DEBUCCALIZATION IN SINGKIL: AN OPTIMALITY THEORY PERSPECTIVE ONPHONOLOGICAL VARIABILITY AND INDEXICALITY

Abstract

Language variation includes one of human language attributes, which is demonstrated by differences in terms of pronunciation and structure. Debuccalization, which is commonly characterized as the loss of articulatory location, is one of its forms. Stated differently, laryngeal consonants ([h], [ɦ], or [ʕ]) are produced when a consonant in the oral tract is free of blockage or gesture.This paper aims to examine phonological variability, the range of possible pronunciations of a particular sound, and indexicality in debuccalization among Singkil speakers using Optimality Theory. The research was conducted in Kuta Baharu district of Singkil Regency, Aceh. Descriptive qualitative research was utilized in this study as an effort to accurately and thoroughly describe social or human issues, with a focus on phonological issues. Ten Singkil speakers participated in this study. The findings show that the underlying level of the representation, namely, /saksi/ “witness”, /baek/ “good”, and /masak/ “cook” become [saʔ.si], [ba.eʔ], and [ma.saʔ] as the surface level of the representation. And the constraints ranks should be ALIGN-STOP K >> IDENT-IO [place]. Drawing on sociolinguistic approaches, this study has the potential to shed light on how language interaction and sociolinguistic factors affect phonological change. As a result, it can help us better understand the dynamics of language in bilingual communities. Furthermore, this study demonstrates how Singkil speakers handle
language contact instances skilfully while maintaining important linguistic indexical components