Logoori vowel allophony

The focus of this problem is determining the distribution of the two kinds of mid vowels, tense [e,o] versus lax [ɛ,ɔ]. The first 8 examples below are repeated from the data of Chapter 2: use these as model pronunciations for what [i ɪ e ɛ ɔ o ʊ u] sound like in this language. The transcriptions below introduce a common alternative method of writing long vowels, as two identical vowels. This difference in writing does not imply a difference in physical realization, it represents different theories of how phonological length should be analyzed: as a notation on a segment like nasalization, or as two instances of the same thing (possibly differing in tones, this point is discussed in later points of the book).

The remaining examples have the mid vowels [e ɛ o ɔ] in various contexts. Analyze the distribution of [e o] versus [ɛ ɔ] in this data set. Although the focus of this problem is vowel quality, the examples below introduce an additional tonal distinction. Previous examples have presented H and L tones, the former being marked with an acute accent (á) and the latter being unmarked. Falling tones are written as two-vowel sequences with acute on the first vowel (kɔ́hɛ́ɛnda). There is another tone marker in IPA, the downstep operator notated as ꜜ, which is relevant for Logoori tone. It appears between H toned vowels, and indicates that all following tones are somewhat lowered in pitch from the standard value encountered before ꜜ. This occurs in the word "joint" below and a few other words – "joint" has the tone pattern HꜜHH.

Listen to and transcribe the following words, and state the distribution of [e o] versus [ɛ ɔ] in terms of a rule turning one type of vowel into the other in some context. Explain your reasoning for your selection of underlying vowel quality.