Length and Syllable Structure in Hausa

Generative phonology generally represents length contracts with either the feature [long] or the contrast between single & double segments. It is argued that neither approach is correct for Hausa, & that a suprasegmental feature should be used to capture length distinctions. The same vocabulary used to express permissible syllables is also used to capture length distinctions, & the feature [syllabic] in this description is regarded as suprasegmental rather than segmental. B. Annesser