The sound system of Jādobātī Brajbhāshā

Abstract This study describes the sound system of Jādobātī, a regional variety of Brajbhāshā primarily spoken in the central India region. The Jādobātī sound system has not been previously described and documented. The study reveals that Jādobātī has thirty-one consonant phonemes, comprising sixteen plosives, four affricates, two fricatives, three nasals, three taps, and three approximants. Jādobātī has fifteen vowel phonemes, of which ten are oral and five are nasals. The syllable structure of Jādobātī is characterised by a relatively simple pattern, permitting up to two consonants in both onset and coda positions, with the syllable nucleus consisting of either a monophthong or a diphthong. In addition, the study highlights some phonological processes in Jādobātī that have emerged due to geographical, social factors, and language contact.