Editing Santa language (section)

===Phonotactics===
The general syllable template for Santa is (C)(G)V(G/N), where the brackets represent optional phonemes. C represents any consonant apart from {{IPA|/ŋ/}} or a glide, G is one of the glides {{IPA|/j, w/}}, V is a vowel and G/N is either a glide or a nasal  {{IPA|/n, ŋ/}} (occasionally also {{IPA|/r/}}).{{sfnp|Field|1997|p=59}} However, there are further constraints to this scheme:

* The [[obstruent]]s {{IPA|/pʰ, qʰ, f, x, h/}} in words of Monogolic origin can only be found at the beginning of words.{{sfnp|Field|1997|p=61}}
* Also, {{IPA|/ɕ/}} can occur at any position syllable-initially, but not after nasals of glides.{{sfnp|Field|1997|p=61}}
* {{IPA|/r, ʁ/}} on the other hand can only occur after vowels. It is also possible for {{IPA|/ʁ/}} to occur after nasals, but not {{IPA|/r/}} due to the sonorant rule.{{sfnp|Field|1997|p=61}}
* {{IPA|/ʂ, ɕ, t͡ɕ, m/}} can occur word-initially but between syllables only after vowels.{{sfnp|Field|1997|p=61}}
* It is impossible for non-compounded words of Mongolic origin for a [[sonorant]] (with the exception of the glide {{IPA|[i̯]}}) to follow a nasal after a syllable boundary. However, three exceptions exist: {{lang|sce|manlou}} {{IPA|[mɑ̃ŋˈləu̯]}} (forehead), {{lang|sce|danlei}} {{IPA|[tæ̃nˈləi̯]}} (palate) and {{lang|sce|chanlie}} {{IPA|[t͡ʂʰæ̃nˈli̯ə]}} (to listen).{{sfnp|Field|1997|pp=39–40}}
** Words borrowed from Mandarin Chinese do not follow this rule, seen with {{lang|sce|rinmin}} {{IPA|[ʐəŋˈmin]}} (people; from {{lang|zh|人民}} {{lang|zh-Latn-pinyin|rénmín}}).{{sfnp|Field|1997|p=40}}