Generative Phonology

elective courses

This course is an introduction to standard generative theory. It focuses on the phonological analysis of English and other languages. The discussion includes the premises of the standard generative model presented in The Sound Pattern of English (SPE; Chomsky-Halle 1968) as well as later post-SPE developments in phonological theory. Analyses cover the area of phonological representations and phonological rules. The former includes issues concerned with phonological features (e.g. binary vs privative features, redundancy, feature trees), syllable (SPE [?syllabic] vs. syllable as a constituent), constraints on syllabification (e.g. SSG, Jespersen's Constraint). The latter introduces students to the problem of rule interaction and rule types (e.g. disjunctive and conjunctive ordering, rule cyclicity), conditions on rule application (e.g. Elsewhere Condition). During the course students investigate a number of phonological problems based on linguistic data from English and other languages.

This course is an introduction to standard generative theory. The aim of the course is to discuss the fundamental premises of the generative model presented in The Sound Pattern of English (SPE; Chomsky-Halle 1968) as well as later post-SPE developments in phonological theory. The discussion concentrates both on the problem of phonological representations as well as on various aspects of phonological rules. The course covers areas such as: phonological features (comparison and contrast of the SPE-feature framework and post-SPE developments: binary versus privative/monovalent features, distinctiveness, redundancy, feature bundles versus feature trees), syllable (differences between the SPE [?syllabic] feature format versus the post-SPE concept of syllable as a phonological constituent) and constraints on syllabification (Sonority Sequencing Generalization, Jespersen's Constraint, language-specific constraints, for example Obstruent Sequencing Suspension in Polish or *stop-nasal constraint in English). The analyses of phonological structures of English and other languages introduce students to the problem of rule interaction and rule types (transparent versus opaque rules, disjunctive ordering, conjunctive ordering, rule cyclicity) as well as various conditions on rule application, such as the Alternation Condition, Strict Cyclicity and the Elsewhere Condition. During the course students investigate a number of phonological problems based on linguistic data from English and other languages. Such analytical exercises allow the course participants to apply the methodological tools of generative theory in practice and to examine the advantages as well as constraints of the generative framework.

Chomsky, N. & M.Halle, 1968. The Sound Pattern of English. New York: Harper and Row. (selected chapters)

Kenstowicz, M. 1994. Phonology in generative grammar. Cambridge MA & Oxford: Blackwell. (selected chapters).

Rubach J. 1982. Analysis of phonological structures. Warszawa: PWN. (selected chapters).

Rubach J. 1999. 'The Syllable in Phonological Analysis'. Rivista di Linguistica 11: 273-314.

In class discussions students acquire skills of expressing their thoughts in a clear, coherent, logical and precise manner, with the use of language which is correct grammatically, lexically and phonetically.

- 2 written tests: the midterm and the final test.

- 2 obligatory phonological projects and 2 optional projects.

2 absences allowed during the term.

The assessment methods and criteria may be changed due to the current epidemic situation. Their equivalents will be established together with course participants, and in accordance with the guidelines of the University of Warsaw. The particular assessment methods and criteria will be presented by the course instructor during the first classes or will be sent through USOS.