Complexity scales and licensing in phonology

Viac o knihe

This book demonstrates that, within a representation-based model, the phonological organization of speech sounds in a word can be understood through the licensing properties of nuclei concerning structurally defined complexities. The primitive licensing relation is between a nucleus and its onset (O N), with two main types of complexities: substantive complexity at the melodic level and formal complexity regarding syllabic configurations. Melodic complexity is defined by the number of privative primes, or elements, while formal complexity involves governing relations of onsets, some of which are easier to license than others. The model reveals how asymmetries in consonant and vowel representations illuminate typological patterns, markedness effects, and phonological processes. For instance, the deletion of [g] in Welsh mutations relates to its defining prime being the target of Soft Mutation. The formal complexity scale aligns with the markedness of syllabic types, allowing syllable typology to emerge from the licensing strength of nuclei. Additionally, the interaction between higher prosodic organization and syllabic structure is expressible in this model, as higher prosody affects the licensing status of nuclei. The inclusion of the empty nucleus as a licenser helps unify marked contexts in segmental phenomena and addresses issues like extrasyllabicity and complex clusters. The role of nuclei as licensers is crucial in conne