A new theory of the structure of phonological representations for segments and syllables.

Constraint-based frameworks such as Optimality Theory (OT) have significantly altered phonologists' views on the nature of derivations and their role in linguistic theory. Earlier frameworks of generative phonology were characterized by a fairly complicated theory of derivations, involving lexical levels, the cycle, and intrinsic and extrinsic rule ordering, among other things. OT in its standard form, on the other hand, represents a minimalist theory of derivations, recognizing only a direct mapping from input to output. This volume addresses questions from many different points of view by a number of outstanding scholars: Is this minimal theory sufficiently well-equipped to deal with the empirical complications of natural language or do we need a larger 'derivational residue' in our theory? What are the relevant facts and how can we deal with them? Are there any reasons to think that an OT-based approach to derivations may even be more successful than its rule-based competitors? The book also features an introduction into the general issues involved and an extensive bibliography.

The Routledge Handbook of Phonological Theory provides a comprehensive overview of the major contemporary approaches to phonology. Phonology is frequently defined as the systematic organisation of the sounds of human language. For some, this includes aspects of both the surface phonetics together with systematic structural properties of the sound system; for others, phonology is seen as distinct from, and autonomous from, phonetics. The Routledge Handbook of Phonological Theory surveys the differing ways in which phonology is viewed, with a focus on current approaches to phonology. Divided into two parts, this handbook: covers major conceptual frameworks within phonology, including: rule-based phonology; Optimality Theory; Government Phonology; Dependency Phonology; and connectionist approaches to generative phonology; explores the central issue of the relationship between phonetics and phonology; features 23 chapters written by leading academics from around the world. The Routledge Handbook of Phonological Theory is an authoritative survey of this key field in linguistics, and is essential reading for students studying phonology.

The Segment in Phonetics and Phonology unravels exactly what the segment is and on what levels it exists, approaching the study of the segment with theoretical, empirical, and methodological heterogeneity as its guiding principle. A deliberately eclectic approach to the study of the segment that investigates exactly what the segment is and on what level it exists Includes new research data from a diverse range of fields such as experimental psycholinguistics, language acquisition, and mathematical theories of communication Represents the major theoretical models of phonology, including Articulatory Phonology, Optimality Theory, Laboratory Phonology and Generative Phonology Examines both well-studied languages like English, Chinese, and Japanese and under-studied languages such as Southern Sierra Miwok, Päri, and American Sign Language

Phonological Knowledge addresses central questions in the foundations of phonology and locates them within their larger linguistic and philosophical context. Phonology is a discipline grounded in observable facts, but like any discipline it rests on conceptual assumptions. This book investigates the nature, status, and acquisition of phonological knowledge: it enquires into the conceptual and empirical foundations of phonology, and considers the relation of phonology to the theory of language and other capacities of mind. The authors address a wide range of interrelated questions, the most central of which is this: is phonological knowledge different from linguistic knowledge in general? They offer responses to this question from a variety of perspectives, each of which has consequences for how phonology and language are conceived. Each also involves a host of further questions concerning the modularity of mind and of language; whether phonology should be included in the language faculty; the nature-convention debate; the content of phonological elements and its relation to phonetic substance; the implications of sign languages for phonology; whether functional and variationist considerations are relevant in phonology; how phonological knowledge arises; and, not least, the data and methods appropriate for phonological inquiry. Phonological Knowledge is an important contribution to the most fundamental issues in phonology and the understanding of language. It will interest researchers in and advanced students of phonology, linguistic theory, and philosophy of language. In addition to the editors, the authors are Mary Beckman, Silvain Bromberger, Jennifer Fitzpatrick, Paul Foulkes, Mark Hale, Morris Hallé, John Harris, Harry van der Hulst, Robert Ladd, G. Lindsey, Scott Myers, Janet Pierrehumbert, Charles Reiss, Shelley Velleman, Marilyn Vihman, and Linda Wheeldon. By relating foundational questions of phonology to their larger linguistic, cognitive, and philosophical contexts this book will generate interest not only among phonologists and their advanced students, but also among all those concerned to understand the forms and functions of language.

The contributions of this volume centre around the (ongoing) work of John Anderson, Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh and Fellow of the British Academy, who, with detailed studies in phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax as well as careful discussions of historical and methodological issues in linguistics at large, has been and still is the central figure in the development of a theory of language structure driven by the assumption of structural analogy between syntax and phonology and firmly grounded in the long-standing tradition of substantively based grammar behind it. The first contribution is a lengthy ‘interview’, based on a series of written interchanges by József Andor with John Anderson, which focuses on the development of Anderson’s work and its relation to contemporaneous developments in linguistics. The following eight contributions, centring on general issues concerning the historiography of localism, the lexicon, meaning and syntax and, finally, phonology, deal with applications, extensions, answers to criticism and philosophical context of Anderson’s work.

Mouton proudly presents this collection of articles considered to be representative of author achievements over the past quarter-century of its publishing history. A selection, of course, can do little more than make the readers wish for more; it is hoped that these volumes will do just that. The book contains essays on Phonology, Morphology, Formal Syntax, Functional Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Language and Cognition, Language Acquisition, Discourse and Text, Sociology of Language, Semiotics.