Phonological Theories and Sound Change - Assignment Example

1. Critically evaluate two different phonological theories in their ability to describe sound change. What is Phonology? Phonology is an important aspect of language. It is one among several other aspects in linguistics including phonetics, syntax, morphology, pragmatics and semantics. Phonology is a study how various sounds are combined together and organized to use in natural language. Two Important Characteristics of Phonology Two important features of phonology include, 1. An inventory of a range of sounds and their essential features 2. Specific rules that further specify how various sounds interact and use in the structure of natural language. Phonological Theories and Sound Change Phonology deals with the discipline of linguistics that deals with the tone or the sounds used in language structure. It is also termed as the systematic use of sounds that are later on used in spoken language. The organization of tones and sounds come in the category of phonology. (Anderson 1987) Auto Segmental Phonology Definition Autosegmental phonology is simply defined as an approach to sound change and phonological process. Including the tone as well as harmony, that is independent and extends the sound process beyond the use of vowels and consonants. It is a non linear phonological approach. Auto segmental approach offers multi dimensional approach and representations. It has more than a few tiers. Each level or tier of this approach offers a collection of segments. These tiers further clarify how various segments are pronounced. Examples: In the analysis of auto segmental phonological approach, it is declared that the tone or sound is not an asset or a property of syllables and individual vowels but the sound is an asset or a property of the whole word. Here is a simple table that is enclosed here as an example. This table identifies that the tone is based on the whole word than the number of syllables used within a word.  Tone 1 syllable 2 syllables 3 syllables H nda@ ‘mouth’ ngu@lu@ ‘tree’ kE@lE@lE@ ‘fraction’ L kpa$ ‘debt’ be$le$ ‘trousers’ kpa$ka$l"Ý ‘chair’ HL mbu^ ‘owl’ ke@nya$ ‘uncle’ fe@la$ma$ ‘junction’ LH mba& ‘rice’ na$vo@ ‘money’ nda$vu@la@ ‘sling’ LHL mba ‘companion’ nya$ha^ ‘woman’ n"Ýk"Ûl"Ý ‘peanut’ (Source: SIL International 2004) Auto Segmental theory presents that the elements or the features of phonology are not assembled together in segments and unordered sets but all the features lead independently. So, phonological construction can be observed as independent instruments that are in the correspondence to communicative organs which work and play together. We can further see tone behavior as an example when we talk about autosegmental phonology in action. Auto-Segmental Phonology and Linguistic Organization Any person who follows the alphabetical system of writing always be inclined to divide the letters into vowels and the consonants that are collectively known as segments. If we look the matter from psycholinguistic standpoint, we will see that it does not make a lot of sense as it is easier job to count syllables than segments. Moreover, people who are not familiar with reading and writing find the later task almost impossible. They can perform the earlier task without so many problems. Next to psycholinguistic point of view, phonological theory also tells that segments are not the only primitives of auto-segmental theory. There are some other small elements that play vital role making up the words of a natural language. So, a question to discuss here is that what is the organization of auto segmental theory looks like. According to this theory, we can observe the organization and structure of vocal sounds in human mind more or less similar to a musical score. Each and every element of this music score has its own part. To a great extent each part is independent as compared to other parts. However, the only relation among all these part is that they are all connected to a single skeleton. Skeleton keeps the track of time. In auto segmental theory another question arises as why it is preferable to use voiced segment beside another voiced section? As we can see that all the segments are free and have their independent dimensions in voicing. So, there seems no reason to leave behind for any preference. However, auto-segmental theory offers the answer to this question. According to this theory, this preference makes sense. For example, the word Dutch makes sense when two segments share one feature ‘da’ and ‘ta.’ (Oostendorp 2005) Optimality Theory and Sound Change Optimality theory is another model related to linguistics. This model is developed in 1993 by Paul Smolensky and Alan Prince. The main interest of this model resides in its association with phonology. However, this theory is not restricted to that but also covers some other areas of linguistic interests including semantics and syntax. Optimality theory is most often considered as a developmental field for generative grammar. Generative grammar shares the main focus on the study of linguistic principles, typology and acquisition process. Next to it, it is also important to note that optimality theory is also known as connectionist theory. The reason behind is that it has roots in neural research as well. The main idea of optimality theory is that the current form or the observed shape of a language came forward from its interaction that has happened among various conflicting constraints. So, the theory has three main components. 1. GEN 2. CON 3. EVAL GEN is the basic component of optimality theory that generates the listing of the outputs that are possible. These are also known as candidates. Next to it, CON offers the basic criteria and the constraints that are adopted while deciding candidates. Finally, EVAL is the option that chooses the optimal outputs also known as candidates. Since 1968, it has been a standard practice to create a sound change through rule additions, simplification process, rule ordering process or rule loss. In optimality phonology theory, sound change is brought about by two methods. In first method, the structure of the syllable is changed and this method was developed in 5th to 9th century in Gallo- Romance time period. Moreover, it was further developed in 11th and 12th century at the time of Old French. Here we will further discuss optimality theory and sound change involving the changes that happen in the structure of the syllable. Then we will further discuss the alignment constraints. Conditions for the Structure of Syllable In Old French as well as Gallo- Romance period, words were surfaced in that form, 1. drap used for blanket 2. net for clear 3. sac for bag 4. chef for head In these words voiced obstruent like [p], [t], [k], [f] were devoiced in the final position of the word. Furthermore, for example the word ‘sorder’ means ‘to spring up’ and ‘sort’ also mean the same. ‘Sevir’ and ‘serf’ mean ‘to serve.’ The nominal forms as discussed earlier are added with‘s’ in plural cases and forms as chefs, sacs, draps, nets etc. on the other hand, in optimality phonology, syllable last or final consonant comes together depending on the word final position. However, wor’d internal position does not matter. For example, 1. dormitorium (Classical Latin word) changes into dormtorju (Gallo- Romance) which further turns as dortojr in Old French terminology and finally in current English structure it is dortoir meaning bedroom. 2. Computare is another word used in Classical Latin succeeded komptar in Gallo Romance to kornter in Old French expression and finally conter meaning to count. 3. Here are some other words as examples enlisted here, Civitatern- tsivtats- tsittet- citet meaning city Hospitalem- osptal- ostel- ostel meaning residence So, this formation of words show that the consonants cluster in form of rm, lb, sp and mp. These clusters are not allowed internally but used in the final position of the word. In optimality theory regarding phonology, a set of constraints is used. This set of universal restraints is ranked hierarchically based on the foundation of language structure. So, phonological changes and alterations are not accounted by phonological regulations but these alterations are the output of the constraints that occurs in grammatical structure. One major type of constraint that occurs is known as alignment. Alignment is a type of constraint that demands the beginning and the ending of two categories at the same point entailing that the edge of morphological element must match with the edge of another morphological element. In order to explain this concept clearer that how alignment works out, we have to consider the phonological enclisis that had evolved from Old French time to the Middle of French Period. In Old French period, monosyllabic words could be voiced and pronounced depending on the word that is used as predecessor. For example Jol vi meaning ‘I saw Him.’ Later on, the rhythmic structure in linguistic also got a turn. In Classical Latin period, the initial stress was put upon descending rhythm which was later on changed and it was put back by ascending rhythm (Jacob 1995) References 1. Jacobs, H. 1995. French Department, Nijmegan University/ Free University Amsterdam. Optimality Theory and Sound Change. [pdf] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2012]. 2. Oostendorp, M. 2005. Auto Segmental Phonology. [pdf] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2012]. 3. SIL International, 2004. What is Auto Segmental Phonology? [Online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2012]. 4. Optimality Phonology. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2012]. 5. Anderson, J., Ewen, C. 1987. Principles of dependency phonology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 6. Goldsmith, John A. 1989. Autosegmental and metrical phonology: A new synthesis. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. 7. Sandler, Wendy and Lillo-Martin, Diane. 2006. Sign language and linguistic universals. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 8. About.com. Grammar and Composition. Phonology. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 10 March 2012]. Read More