LINGUIST List 24.965
Sat Feb 23 2013
Diss: Phonology/ Breton/ Welsh: Losad: 'Representation and Variation in Substance-free Phonology...'
Editor for this issue: Lili Xia
<lxialinguistlist.org>
Date: 23-Feb-2013
From: Pavel Iosad <p.iosad
ulster.ac.uk>
Subject: Representation and Variation in Substance-free Phonology: A case study in Celtic
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Institution: University of Tromsø
Program: Center for Advanced Study in Theoretical Linguistics
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 2012
Author: Pavel Losad
Dissertation Title: Representation and Variation in Substance-free Phonology: A case study in Celtic
Dissertation URL:
http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4794
Linguistic Field(s):
Phonology
Subject Language(s):
Breton (bre)
Welsh (cym)
Dissertation Director:
Bruce Morén-Duolljá
Dissertation Abstract:
This thesis presents a comprehensive analysis of the phonologicalpatterns of two varieties of Brythonic Celtic in the framework ofsubstance-free phonology. I argue that cross-linguistic variation insound patterns does not derive solely from differences in grammars(implemented as Optimality Theoretic constraint rankings). Instead, Iadopt the substance-free framework, based on the principle ofmodularity and autonomy of the phonological component, to accountfor cross-linguistic phonological and phonetic variation. Phonologicalrepresentations in substance-free phonology are built up withoutregard to the physical implementation of phonological units, on thebasis of the system of contrasts and patterns of alternation. Althoughthis insight is not new when couched in terms of a language-specificassignment of a set of universal phonological features, I argue that themapping between phonology and phonetics is also not universal anddeterministic, and reject the universality of the feature set. Instead, Iargue for a rich interface between phonology and phonetics.
Based on this understanding of the nature of variation, I provide aholistic analysis of the sound systems of two closely related languages:Pembrokeshire Welsh and Bothoa Breton. I propose an account interms of a rich representational theory. Among other proposals, Idefend the need for surface ternary contrasts, which I propose toimplement using feature geometry. I also show that the substance-freeapproach, which decouples phonological representation from phoneticrealization, strikes the correct balance between innatist andemergentist approaches to phonological markedness; I demonstratethis by way of an extensive case study of laryngeal phonology, whichleads to a reinterpetation of the approach known as 'laryngeal realism'.I also argue that the phonological component of grammar should allowconstraints with prima facie undesirable factorial consequences, if suchconstraints are needed to account for functionally unmotivated soundpatterns, and discuss the consequences of this approach for thesubstance-free nature of phonological computation.
Page Updated: 23-Feb-2013