The purpose of this article is to determine the phonemic status of [h] and [ʔ] in
the Sistani dialect of Miyankangi. Auditory tests applied to the relevant data
show that [ʔ] occurs mainly in word-initial position، where it stands in free
variation with Ø. The only place where [h] is heard is in Arabic and Persian
loanwords، and only in the pronunciation of some speakers who are educated
and/or live in urban centres، where inhabitants are in closer touch with Persian
than in rural areas. The sound [h] also occurs in the pronunuciation of some
Arabic loanwords where it replaces the glottal plosive، particularly in word
medial، intervocalic position. The investigation shows that neither [ʔ] nor [h]
have phonemic status in the Sistani dialect of Miyankangi at present، but that
more intense contact with Persian may change this state in the future،
particularly for [h].
