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Typology in Optimality Theory
Author(s) -
Gordon Matthew
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
language and linguistics compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.619
H-Index - 44
ISSN - 1749-818X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-818x.2007.00036.x
Subject(s) - optimality theory , markedness , typology , phonology , linguistics , phonotactics , constraint (computer aided design) , sonority hierarchy , linguistic typology , conceptualization , articulation (sociology) , syllable , basis (linear algebra) , perception , computer science , psychology , mathematics , sociology , philosophy , geometry , neuroscience , politics , anthropology , political science , law
Abstract The mechanism of constraint re‐ranking basis makes Optimality Theory (OT) a typologically oriented theory of phonology. Permuting the prioritization of constraints on a language‐specific basis generates a factorial typology of phonological patterns. Patterns generated by an optimality‐theoretic account can be compared with the set of attested patterns found in languages of the world to determine how well the analysis fits the observed typology. The typological predictions of OT are constrained to a large extent by the grounding of markedness constraints in independent facts about speech articulation, perception, and processing. Nevertheless, comprehensive typological analyses within OT commonly overpredict the existence of apparently unattested patterns. These cases of overgeneration may stem from several sources: they may be pathologic, may reflect accidental gaps due to the paucity of a given phenomenon, or may be grounded in diachronic biases in speech perception or production. The phonetic underpinnings and factorial typology of three phenomena are discussed in this article: syllable structure, the distribution of contour tones, and the loci of laryngeal neutralization.