Editing Aleut language (section)

==== Syncopation ====

The details of the extensive [[Syncope (phonology)|syncopation]] characteristic of the Eastern Aleut dialect are described below. In the examples, the syncopated vowel will be shown in parentheses.<ref name=":0" />

A word medial short vowel may be syncopated between single consonants, except after an initial [[Open syllable|open]] short syllable and/or before a final open short syllable. For example, {{lang|ale-latn|ìx̂am(a)nákux̂}} 'it is good' and {{transliteration|ale|alqut(a)maan}} 'what for?'.

The syncopation often creates consonant clusters beyond those prescribed by the general rules of Aleut phonotactics. The resulting clusters include:
* clusters of two stops: {{transliteration|ale|asx̂at(i)kuu}} 'he killed it'
* geminate consonants: {{transliteration|ale|yuug(i)gaadakux̂}} 'is young'
* a regular three consonant cluster: {{transliteration|ale|ingam(a)sxakum}} 'after a short while (he)'
In some frequently encountered syncopated forms, which otherwise result in irregular three consonant clusters, the middle uvular fricative is deleted along with the preceding vowel. For example, {{transliteration|ale|(h)iis(ax̂)talix}} 'saying' and {{transliteration|ale|(h)iil(ax̂)talix}} 'being said'.

At slower speeds of speech, the syncopation may not be realized. Compare {{transliteration|ale|txin saakutikux̂txin}} 'you are getting skinny' beside {{transliteration|ale|ting saak(u)tikuqing}} 'I am getting skinny'.