Lecture 3 Phonology Phonological Representations.

Lecture 3Lecture 3PhonologyPhonology

Phonological RepresentationsPhonological Representations

DefinitionDefinition

Phonological Representations are those Phonological Representations are those mental images in terms of which mental images in terms of which knowledge of a sound system is couched.knowledge of a sound system is couched.

The The BASIC BASIC units that comprise units that comprise phonological representations are:phonological representations are:

featuresfeaturessegmentssegmentssyllablessyllablesfeet (metrical grids)feet (metrical grids)

FeaturesFeatures

Two Hypotheses:Two Hypotheses:

Segments are groups of Segments are groups of features.features.

Segments are indivisible Segments are indivisible elements.elements.

FeaturesFeatures

Segments are not the ultimate (most Segments are not the ultimate (most primitive) units of phonological primitive) units of phonological structure.structure.

They are composed of smaller elements.They are composed of smaller elements. These sub-segmental building blocks These sub-segmental building blocks

are the FEATURES:are the FEATURES:

the units of phonological structure that the units of phonological structure that make up the segments.make up the segments.

Why Features?Why Features?

Features reflect the coordinated Features reflect the coordinated articulatory activities.articulatory activities.

Features capture natural classes.Features capture natural classes. Features allow for precise Features allow for precise

understanding of the nature of understanding of the nature of allophonic variation.allophonic variation.

Coordinated ActivitiesCoordinated Activities

Speech is produced by a number of Speech is produced by a number of coordinated articulatory activities:coordinated articulatory activities:voicing – tongue position – lip rounding …voicing – tongue position – lip rounding …

Each feature is rooted in an independently Each feature is rooted in an independently controllable aspect of speech production:controllable aspect of speech production:voicingvoicing tongue positiontongue position lip roundinglip rounding[[voicevoice]] [[highhigh]] [[roundround]]

Thus, each feature or group of features Thus, each feature or group of features defines a specific property of the segment.defines a specific property of the segment.

MatrixMatrix

[[]]+syllabic+syllabic These define the segment These define the segment

asas-consonantal-consonantal consonant, vowel, consonant, vowel, +sonorant+sonorant or glide. or glide.-high-high These define the These define the

placement of placement of +low+low the tongue. the tongue.+back+back -round-round This defines lip rounding.This defines lip rounding.+tense+tense This defines tenseness/laxness.This defines tenseness/laxness.

Natural ClassesNatural Classes

Features define natural classes.Features define natural classes. They are central to phonological analysis.They are central to phonological analysis. It is not only that individual phonemes such It is not only that individual phonemes such

as /p/, /b/, /k/, and /g/ contrast in English.as /p/, /b/, /k/, and /g/ contrast in English. Rather, the entire class of voiced stops Rather, the entire class of voiced stops

contrast with the class of voiceless stops.contrast with the class of voiceless stops. Therefore, it is the feature [voice] that is Therefore, it is the feature [voice] that is

contrastive, not the individual segments.contrastive, not the individual segments.

Vowels in EnglishVowels in English FrontFront vs. vs. BackBack

Front VowelsFront Vowels Back VowelsBack Vowels/// // // // // // // // /// /// // // // // // // // ///

++syllabicsyllabic ++syllabicsyllabic

--consonantalconsonantal --consonantalconsonantal++sonorantsonorant ++sonorantsonorant

--backback ++backback

Allophonic VariationAllophonic Variation

Allophonic variation is not simply the Allophonic variation is not simply the substitution of one sound for substitution of one sound for another.another.

It is the environmentally conditioned It is the environmentally conditioned change or specification of a feature change or specification of a feature or features.or features.

Liquid-glide DevoicingLiquid-glide Devoicing

In English, In English, liquids and glidesliquids and glides have have voicelessvoiceless allophones after syllable- allophones after syllable-initial initial voiceless stopsvoiceless stops and voiced and voiced allophones elsewhere.allophones elsewhere.

liquids and glidesliquids and glides voiceless stopsvoiceless stops

++sonorantsonorant [ [--voice] / voice] / --syllabicsyllabic __________

--syllabicsyllabic ++consonantalconsonantal --nasalnasal --continuantcontinuant ++voicevoice --delayed releasedelayed release

The SyllableThe Syllable

Definition:Definition:

It is a fundamental phonological unit It is a fundamental phonological unit consisting of a short sequence of consisting of a short sequence of segments, most typically a single segments, most typically a single vowel or diphthong possibly vowel or diphthong possibly preceded and/ or followed by one or preceded and/ or followed by one or more consonants.more consonants.

Syllable StructureSyllable Structure

There are four sub-syllabic elements:There are four sub-syllabic elements: The The nucleusnucleus ( (NN) is the ) is the onlyonly obligatory obligatory

member; it is a syllabic element (usually a member; it is a syllabic element (usually a vowel).vowel).

The The codacoda ( (CC) consists of the elements that ) consists of the elements that follow the nucleus in the same syllable.follow the nucleus in the same syllable.

The The rhymerhyme ( (RR) is made up of the nucleus ) is made up of the nucleus and the coda.and the coda.

The The onsetonset ( (OO) is made up of those elements ) is made up of those elements that precede the rhyme in the same syllable.that precede the rhyme in the same syllable.

Syllable StructureSyllable Structure

WdWd

OO RR

NN CC

ss pp rr nn tt

PhonotacticsPhonotactics

Initial three-consonant clusters in Initial three-consonant clusters in English:English:

[[ NucleusNucleus …]…]

Gaps:Gaps:

[spw], [stl], and [stw][spw], [stl], and [stw]

SyllabificationSyllabification

Setting up syllables involves the Setting up syllables involves the following steps:following steps:

Assign vowels to syllable Assign vowels to syllable nucleinuclei..

Maximize Maximize onsetsonsets..

Associate remaining consonants to Associate remaining consonants to codascodas..

Assign vowels to syllable Assign vowels to syllable nucleinuclei..

|| ||

RR R R

|| ||

NN N N

| | ||

ee k s t r k s t r i:i:mm

Maximize Maximize onsetsonsets..

| | //|||| // |||| // |||| / / ||| | // ||R R OO RR| | /|\/|\ ||NN / / | | \\ NN|| / / | | \\ ||e k e k s t rs t r i: mi: m

Associate remaining consonants to Associate remaining consonants to codascodas..

|| /|/|| | / / |||| / / |||| / / |||| / / ||RR O O RR||\\ /|\ /|\ ||\\

N N CC / / | | \ \ N N CC| | || / / | | \ \ | | ||e e kk s t r s t r i: i: mm

Syllabic PhonologySyllabic Phonology

Does the syllable play any role in phonological Does the syllable play any role in phonological analysis?analysis?

Native speakers demonstrate awareness of this unit Native speakers demonstrate awareness of this unit of phonological structure.of phonological structure.They will say that a word like They will say that a word like accidentaccident has three syllables arranged as has three syllables arranged as// .. .. /./.

Language games like Language games like backward talkbackward talk verify that the verify that the postulated syllable divisions correspond to those postulated syllable divisions correspond to those internalized by native speakers.internalized by native speakers.One common form of backward talk is that of reversing whole One common form of backward talk is that of reversing whole syllables as units: syllables as units: seg.mentseg.ment becomes becomes ment.segment.seg..

However, the central reason for treating syllables as However, the central reason for treating syllables as units of phonological structure is their relevance to units of phonological structure is their relevance to phonological analysis.phonological analysis.

Aspiration in EnglishAspiration in English

AA BB CC

[[] ] tonetone [[] ] stonestone[[....] ] tomatotomato

[[]] kinkin skinskin .. canoecanoe

[[] ] panpan [[] ] spanspan [[..] ] perspireperspire

English voiceless stops are English voiceless stops are aspiratedaspirated when initial in a stressed when initial in a stressed syllablesyllable..

/r/-deletion in British English/r/-deletion in British English

AA BB

[[] ] cacarr [[] ] rrackack

[[] ] cacarree [[..] ] cacarringing

[[] ] cacarrtt [[] ] ccrraftaft In British English, /In British English, /rr/ deletes in / deletes in

the the codacoda..

Heavy Syllables and StressHeavy Syllables and Stress

AA BB CC

[[..]] [[....]] [[]]

verandaveranda aromaaroma cinemacinema[[cvcv..cvccvc..cvcv]] [[vv..cv:cv:..cvcv]] [[cvcv..cvcv..cvcv]]

LL H H LL L L HH L L L L LL L L English nouns are English nouns are stressedstressed on the on the

penultimate penultimate syllablesyllable when it is heavy; when it is heavy; otherwise, they are otherwise, they are stressedstressed on the on the antepenultimate antepenultimate syllablesyllable..

Word StressWord Stress

It is perceived prominence associated with It is perceived prominence associated with one or more syllables in a word.one or more syllables in a word.

Syllable position and/or content (e.g. weight) Syllable position and/or content (e.g. weight) are essential in locating stressed elements.are essential in locating stressed elements.

The formalization of stress rests on the use of The formalization of stress rests on the use of units called metrical feet.units called metrical feet.

The foot is an element of metrical structure The foot is an element of metrical structure whose building block is the syllable.whose building block is the syllable.

Diversity of Diversity of Stress PatternsStress Patterns

Stress is word-initial.Stress is word-initial. (Latvian)(Latvian) Stress is word-final.Stress is word-final. (French)(French)

Left/Right FlankLeft/Right Flank

Diversity of Diversity of Stress PatternsStress Patterns

Rightmost Heavy Syllable, Otherwise Rightmost Heavy Syllable, Otherwise Leftmost SyllableLeftmost Syllable (Classical Arabic)(Classical Arabic)

Leftmost Heavy Syllable, Otherwise Leftmost Heavy Syllable, Otherwise Rightmost SyllableRightmost Syllable (Komi - Russia)(Komi - Russia)

Rightmost Heavy Syllable, Otherwise Rightmost Heavy Syllable, Otherwise Rightmost SyllableRightmost Syllable (W. Cheremis - Russia)(W. Cheremis - Russia)

Leftmost Heavy Syllable, Otherwise Leftmost Heavy Syllable, Otherwise Leftmost SyllableLeftmost Syllable (Russian)(Russian)

Syllable WeightSyllable WeightLeft/Right FlankLeft/Right Flank

Diversity of Diversity of Stress PatternsStress Patterns

Main stress initial; secondary stresses Main stress initial; secondary stresses on odd numbered syllableson odd numbered syllables(Ono - New Guinea)(Ono - New Guinea)

Main stress on the second syllable; Main stress on the second syllable; secondary stresses on even numbered secondary stresses on even numbered syllablessyllables(Araucanian - Chile)(Araucanian - Chile)

RhythmRhythmLeft/Right FlankLeft/Right Flank

Diversity of Diversity of Stress PatternsStress Patterns

Stress a final superheavy syllable.Stress a final superheavy syllable.Otherwise, stress a heavy penult.Otherwise, stress a heavy penult.Otherwise, stress a heavy antepenult.Otherwise, stress a heavy antepenult.Otherwise, stress the penult or the Otherwise, stress the penult or the antepenult, whichever is separated by an antepenult, whichever is separated by an even/odd number of light syllable from the even/odd number of light syllable from the preceding heavy syllable, or in the absence preceding heavy syllable, or in the absence of such a syllable, from the beginning of the of such a syllable, from the beginning of the word.word.(Urban Hijazi Arabic/Negev Bedouin Arabic)(Urban Hijazi Arabic/Negev Bedouin Arabic)

Diversity of Diversity of Stress PatternsStress Patterns

Syllable WeightSyllable Weight

RhythmRhythm

Left/Right FlankLeft/Right Flank

PrinciplesPrinciples

BoundednessBoundedness

The distance between the The distance between the constituent’s head and the boundary constituent’s head and the boundary is restricted to one element:is restricted to one element:

(()()()()()) (())

boundedbounded unboundedunbounded

PrinciplesPrinciples

HeadednessHeadedness

Constituents are either right-headed or Constituents are either right-headed or left-headed:left-headed:

Foot Level:Foot Level: ( ( ) ) ( ( ) )

iambiciambic trochaictrochaic

Word Level:Word Level: ( …( … ) ) ( ( … )… )

rightmostrightmost leftmostleftmost

PrinciplesPrinciples

Quantity-sensitivityQuantity-sensitivityHeavy syllables attract stress:Heavy syllables attract stress:

Syllabic trochee:Syllabic trochee: ( ( ) )(quantity-insensitive)(quantity-insensitive)

Moraic trochee:Moraic trochee: ( ( LLLL )( )( HH ) )(quantity-sensitive)(quantity-sensitive)

Iamb:Iamb: ( ( LLLL )( )( HH )( )( LHLH ) )(quantity-sensitive)(quantity-sensitive)

PrinciplesPrinciples

ExhaustivityExhaustivity

Elements are exhaustively parsed Elements are exhaustively parsed into higher constituents:into higher constituents:

(()()()()()) exhaustive parsingexhaustive parsing

(()()()()()) non-exhaustive parsingnon-exhaustive parsing

DevicesDevices

ExtrametricalityExtrametricality

Peripheral elements are excluded Peripheral elements are excluded form foot structure:form foot structure:

(()()()()()<)<>>

final syllable marked extrametricalfinal syllable marked extrametrical

DevicesDevices

DirectionalityDirectionality

Footing proceeds from left to right or Footing proceeds from left to right or from right to left:from right to left:

(()()()()()) left-to-rightleft-to-right

(()()()()()) right-to-leftright-to-left

Summing upSumming up

The pattering of phonological units is based upon The pattering of phonological units is based upon general elements and principles.general elements and principles.

They are applicable to the study of any human They are applicable to the study of any human language.language.

The atoms of phonological representation are the The atoms of phonological representation are the feature values.feature values.

Features are grouped into segment-sized constituents.Features are grouped into segment-sized constituents. The segments are grouped, around vowels, into The segments are grouped, around vowels, into

syllabic constituents.syllabic constituents. Syllables relate to each other in terms of relative Syllables relate to each other in terms of relative

prominenceprominence Interacting with features and segmental processes, a Interacting with features and segmental processes, a

limited set of parameters accounts for syllabification limited set of parameters accounts for syllabification and metrification.and metrification.

Rules or ConstraintsRules or Constraintsinin

Phonological AnalysisPhonological Analysis

Optimality TheoryOptimality Theory