LINGUIST List 12.1246

Sat May 5 2001

Books: Theoretical linguistics

Editor for this issue: Naomi Ogasawara <naomilinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. LINCOM EUROPA, Theoretical ling: Parameters of Consonantal Assimilation by Yu Cho

Parameters of Consonantal Assimilation
YOUNG-MEE YU CHO
Rutgers University

The goal of this book is to develop a parametric theory of consonantal
assimilation, one of the most well-attested processes in phonology and
one which has been described extensively enough to construct a theory
of some predictive power. The emphasis lies in constructing a
parametric theory in which all and only the possible types of
assimilations can be obtained through very simple combinations of the
possible settings of the following six parameters: (1) Site of
Spreading, (2) Specification on Target and/or Trigger, (3) Locality
Conditions, (4) Relative Ordering between Spreading and Redundancy
Rules, (5) Directionality, and (6) Domain of Spreading. The study is
based on detailed analyses of the assimilation phenomena of Korean,
Japanese and Sanskrit, among other languages. Building on the
theoretical assumptions made by Autosegmental Phonology, Feature
Geometry, Underspecification, and Lexical Phonology, all the
parameters involved in local and unbounded assimilation are
identified. In addition, certain universal tendencies regarding
consonantal assimilation find natural explanation in the present
framework.

Contents: 
1 	INTRODUCTION 
2 	THEORETICAL ASSUMPTIONS 
2.1 	AUTOSEGMENTAL PHONOLOGY 
2.1.1 	Assimilation as Spreading 
2.1.2 	Factorization of Feature-Changing Rules 
2.2 	FEATURE GEOMETRY 
2.3 	RADICAL UNDERSPECIFICATION 
2.3.1 	Coalescence 
2.3.2 	Edge-Neutralization 
2.3.3 	Assimilation 
2.3.4 	Absence of Place Nodes 
2.4 	STRUCTURE PRESERVATION 
2.5 	LOCALITY CONSTRAINTS ON RULES 
2.6 	SUMMARY 
3 	PARAMETERS OF ASSIMILATION 
3.1 	INTRODUCTION 
3.2 	JAPANESE ASSIMILATION 
3.3 	SANSKRIT CONSONANTAL SANDHI 
3.3.1 	Place Assimilation 
3.3.2	Neutralization 
3.3.3 	Other Assimilations 
3.3.4 	Conclusion 
3.4 	KOREAN ASSIMILATION 
3.4.1 	Place Assimilation 
3.4.2 	Other Assimilations 
3.4.3 	Coda Neutralization 
3.4.4 	Coda Simplification 
3.5 	PLACE ASSIMILATION AND CODA TARGET 
4. 	VOICING ASSIMILATION 
4.1 	INTRODUCTION 
4.2 	PARAMETERS OF VOICING ASSIMILATION 
4.3 	TYPOLOGY OF VOICING ASSIMILATION 
4.3.1 	Type 1: Coda Delinking and [voice] Spreading 
4.3.2 	Type 2: Coda Devoicing without Spreading 
4.3.3 	Type 3: Cluster Devoicing and [voice] Spreading 
4.3.4 	Type 4: Cluster Devoicing without Spreading 
4.3.5 	Type 5: No Devoicing with Spreading 
4.3.6 	Type 6: No Devoicing and No Spreading 
4.3.7 	Universal Delinking 
4.4 	COMPARING TWO THEORIES OF VOICING 
4.4.1 	The Role of Feature [sonorant] 
4.4.2 	The Status of "Voiceless" Sonorants 
4.4.3 	On the Interaction of Final Devoicing and Phrasal Assimilation 
4.4.4 	Voicing Assimilation and Underspecification 
4.5 	CONCLUSION 
5 	APPARENT COUNTEREXAMPLES 
5.1 	INTRODUCTION 
5.2 	SANSKRIT DOUBLING AND PALI GEMINATION 
5.2.1 	Sanskrit Doubling 
5.2.2 	Doubling 
5.2.3 	Pali Gemination 
5.2.4 	Problems with Assimilation Accounts 
5.2.5 	Non-Assimilation Accounts 
5.2.6 	Gemination Account 
5.3 	CASES OF AUTOMATIC SPREADING 
5.3.1 	Hausa 
5.3.2 	Italian 
5.3.3 	Old Irish 
5.4 	CONCLUSION 
6 	TRADITIONAL GENERALIZATIONS REVISITED 
6.1 	CONSONANT STRENGTH HIERARCHY 
6.2 	DIRECTION OF ASSIMILATION 
6.2.1 	Dominant Assimilation 
6.2.2 	Progressive vs. Regressive Assimilation 
6.3 	HOMORGANIC NASAL ASSIMILATION 
6.4 	PRINCIPLE OF SIMILARITY 
6.4.1 	Review of some Putative Cases 
6.4.2 	A Case of Apparent Similarity 
6.4.3 	Hierarchical Extension of Similarity 
6.4.4 	Similarity and the OCP 
6.5 	CONCLUSION 
7 	CONCLUSION 
REFERENCES

ISBN 3 89586 607 5. 
LINCOM Studies in Theoretical Linguistics 15. 
266pp. USD 70 / DM 112 / � 42.
2nd printing!
 
Please ask for course discounts!
 
New: A Students' and course discount of 40% is offered to the above
 title. 

Free copies of LINCOM's newsflashes 24 and 25 are now
available from LINCOM.EUROPAt-online.de.

LINCOM EUROPA, Freibadstr. 3, D-81543 Muenchen, Germany;
FAX +49 89 62269404;
http://www.lincom-europa.com
LINCOM.EUROPAt-online.de.