Italian word-initial consonant clusters in Optimality Theory
Date
1998-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Calgary
Abstract
Despite the attention given to optimality theory (OT), only a small portion of prosodic theory has been addressed under this framework. It is my intention to discuss the implications of OT when it is applied to word-initial consonant clusters in Italian. Davis (1990) describes the restrictions placed on Italian word-initial consonant clusters by outlining syllable formation constraints and a language specific minimal sonority distance which is measured between two adjacent consonants. In this paper, I demonstrate that OT theory cannot apply a sonority hierarchy (or margin hierarchy) within the onset consitituent. That is, the theory cannot compare two adjacent elements within one constituent. By adding an affinity constraint, possible onsets and possible nuclei can be established under OT. Furthermore, lists of possible C1s and C2s can be provided; however, the model cannot ensure that minimal sonority distancing will be fulfilled.
Description
Keywords
Linguistics, Italian language, Phonology, Speech Prosody, Constraints (Linguistics), Optimality theory (Linguistics)
Citation
Bortolin, L. (1998). Italian word-initial consonant clusters in Optimality Theory. Calgary Working Papers in Linguistics, 20(Winter), 19-28.