Iranian-Balochi Dialects Loanword Phonology: an Optimality Theoretic Approach

This paper aims to investigate how the loanwords phonologically are adapted in three Iranian-Baochi (IBDs) namely Mirjaveh Sarhaddi Balochi (MSB). Sarawani Balochi (SB) and Lashari Balochi (LB). The analyses of these phonological adaptations will be given within the framework of Optimality Theory (OT), Comparative tableau (Prince 200). The data have been collected during a research fieldwork in Sistan and Baluchistan province of Iran. The research findings demonstrate that in segmental adaptation, foreign inputs with fricatives (f,v …) are adapted into IBDs (p,w …). Also vowel adaptation illustrates that diphthongization and vowel laxness are two common processes in vowel adaptation in IBDs. In additional phonotatic adaptation in IBDs shows that final word germination is observed in loanwords as well as original Balochi words; but there is also number of loans degemination in sarhaddi and Lashari Balochi. Moreover these findings can be represented in OT by ranking the following constraints: FAITH-ROOT. FAITH-AFFIX. FAITH-µ, *Geminate.