Harmonic scales as faithfulness
Date
2004-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Canadian Journal of Linguistics
Abstract
Optimality Theory predicts that harmonic scales (⟦α ≻ β⟧) can be encoded in grammar as markedness hierarchies (⟦*β ≫ *α⟧) or else as faithfulness hierarchies (⟦Faith(β) ≫ Faith(α)⟧ or ⟦Faith(α) ≫ Faith(β)⟧). Most research assumes that harmony is encoded as markedness (e.g., ⟦Cor ≻ Lab⟧ ∴ ⟦*Lab ≫ *Cor⟧), though many investigators have argued that some harmonic relations are better captured as faithfulness hierarchies which forestall deletion/insertion of less harmonic elements (e.g., ⟦Cor ≻ Lab⟧ ∴ ⟦Faith(Lab) ≫ Faith(Cor)⟧). We demonstrate in this paper that at least two perceptually-motivated harmonic scales — one concerning vowel quality, the other concerning glottalisation on consonants — need to be grammatically encoded as faithfulness hierarchies which ensure that more harmonic elements which are also more perceptible are more faithfully adhered to (⟦α ≻ β⟧, where |α| > |β| ∴ ⟦Faith(α) ≫ Faith(β)⟧).
Description
Darin Howe [Flynn] & Douglas Pulleyblank. 2004. Harmonic scales of faithfulness. Canadian Journal of Linguistics, 49(1), 1–49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0008413100002772
Keywords
phonology, optimality theory, epenthesis, syncope, apocope, glottalization
Citation
Howe, D. M., & Pulleyblank, D. (2004). Harmonic scales as faithfulness. "Canadian Journal of Linguistics", 49(1). pp. 1-48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0008413100002772