Introducing optimality theory

Journal/Book: Annu Rev Anthropol. 1999; 28: 4139 El Camino Way, PO Box 10139, Palo Alto, CA 94303-0139, USA. Annual Reviews Inc. 531-552.

Abstract: Optimality theory was introduced in the early 1990s as an alternative model of the organization of natural human language sound systems. This article provides an introduction to the model for the nonlinguist. The basic principles of optimality theory are introduced and explained (GEN, CON, and EVAL). Three important constraint families are explored (Faithfulness, Alignment, and Markedness). Illustrations are provided involving syllabification and vowel harmony in Tibetan and prosodic phonotactics in Tonkawa. The article closes with two general discussions. The first addresses recurring issues in phonological and linguistic analysis and sk:etches how optimality theory might account for these. The second points out how the explanations arrived at through optimality theory are providing new answers to familiar questions, as well as raising new questions for study.

Note: Article Archangeli DB, Univ Arizona, Dept Linguist, Douglass Bldg 200E, Tucson,AZ 85721 USA

Keyword(s): phonology; constraints; universal grammar; linguistics; Tibetan; Tonkawa

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