Optimality theory optimality theory prince and smolensky 1993 ot is a theory of constraint interaction. On the nature of the input in optimality theory universitat leipzig. Mccarthy university of massachusetts amherst abstract. Pdf on the nature of the input in optimality theory. The study of lardil phonology in kenstowicz and kisseberth 1979. In this weeks episode, we take a look at optimality theory. Doing optimality theory 2 alternations in latin third declension nouns, for instance.
Optimality theory is a general model of how grammars are structured. Many criticisms of ot are, according to its proponents, based on fundamental misunderstanding of how it works. Candidate d, however is harmonically bounded by a, and by c. Nov 30, 2016 in this weeks episode, we take a look at optimality theory. Lardil presents a relatively well known case of subtractive. Description this thesis conducts a formal comparison of optimality theoretic phonology with its predecessor, rulebased derivational phonology. Rene kagers textbook is one of the rst to cover optimality theory ot, a declarative grammar framework that swiftly took over phonology afterit was introduced by prince, smolensky, and mccarthy in 1993. A reader is a collection of readings on this important new theory by leading figures in the field, including a lengthy excerpt from prince and smolenskys neverbeforepublished optimality theory. Only the comparison between input and output makes clear how often parse is actually violated by an output structure. It allows for the calculation and visualization of the costs and benefits that influence the outcome of a decision, and contributes to an understanding of adaptations. As the theory of representations in syntax has ramified, the theory of operations has dwindled in content, even to triviality and, for some, nonexistence.
Input is an fsa that accepts mappings from the given input to any output. Section 2 gives an example of syntax within the theory. Repns is an fsa that accepts all syntactically wellformed otp representations of inputoutput mappings. A function called gen maps each lexical form into all possible output candidates. Optimality theory has drawn a good deal of criticism, most of which is directed at its application to phonology rather than syntax or other fields. Optimality models assess this balance in living things, and optimal foraging theory applies it directly to food acquisition. Therefore, d cannot be the optimal candidate under any ranking of just these three constraints, though it could be optimal with a larger. Crossref teodor petric and joseph paul stemberger, permanent and temporary phonological influences in slovenian irregular verb production, language, cognition and neuroscience, 29, 4, 470, 2014. Part i shows how the ideas play out over a variety of phenomena and generalization patterns. The winning candidate in otp can be defined recursively. Theory, in which markedness has no substantive status in the grammar, but functions as an external system of annotations on parameter values, evaluating a grammars complexity. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Optimality theory presented by ashour abdulaziz, eric dodson, jessica hanson, and teresa li overview introduction how to interpret ot historical development theory application pros and cons optimality theory central idea. Living things must strike a balance between the energy used to acquire.
These restrictions can be formalized in terms of constraints. A comparison through the analyses oflardil and modern hebrew yasushi yoshimoto 1. In optimality theoretic phonology, it is usually assumed that the input is an underlying representation henceforth ur. In this article we consider the notion of input in optimality theory in more detail. For a more easier introduction, i recommend optimality theory. The reason for the attention to the issue is that classic optimality theory ot cannot handle.
That approach made sense in the spe theory of phonology, where the goal of the analysis was to construct and order a set of languageparticular rules. Apr 15, 2008 final version of the widely circulated 1993 technical report that was the seminal work in optimality theory, never before available in book format. A lexically filled optimality theory approach, ssrn electronic journal, 10. The universal set of constraints is on a par with the choir invisible. Historically, optimality theory develo ped out of a theory called harmonic grammar legendre et al.
The publication year of this book is 1999 and the theory is still going through the evolutional process. Section 3 examines possible implications of optimality theory for studies of language processing, discussing work on the computability of optimality theoretic grammars, as well as some conceptual similarities between optimality theory and work in connectionism and dynamical systems. Optimality theory history it is a linguistic model proposing that the observed forms of language arise from the interaction between conflicting constraints. Description in this paper i argue that an otapproach to grammar is actually essential to minimalist investigations, because it dramatically widens the set of linguistic properties potentially reducible to interface conditions while at the same time dispensing with interfaceexternal language specific provisos. Though originally developed from generative phonology, the principles of optimality theory have also been applied in studies of syntax, morphology, pragmatics, language change, and other areas. The word final phonology of lardil was brought to the attention of linguists by ken hale in the 1960s and since then certain properties of the data have led it to occupy a privileged position, in a canon of data sets against which new theoretical. Jan 01, 2004 optimality theory has transformed the field of linguistics more than almost any other development of the past halfcentury, and prince and smolensky started it all.
Constraints are universal but each language may rank them differently. This is done in three studies comparing i rule operations and faithfulness constraint violations, ii serial rule interaction and hierarchical constraint interaction, and iii derivational sequences and harmony scales. Ot models grammars as systems that provide mappings from inputs to outputs. Constraint interaction in generative grammar alan prince, paul smolenskyauth. Optimality theory is a development of generative grammar, a theory sharing its focus on formal description and quest for universal principles, on the basis of empirical research of linguistic typology and first language acquisition. Ot differs from other approaches to phonological analysis, such as autosegmental phonology and linear phonology spe, which typically use. Reviewed by sam hellmuth, university of york doing optimality theory is intended to equip student and more advanced practitioners with key tools and concepts needed to construct an analysis within optimality theory ot. Pdf the word final phonology of lardil was brought to the attention of linguists by ken hale in the 1960s and since then certain properties of the. The discussion will hopefully also dispel some common. Pay particular attention to the critiques of optimality theory. Differences in grammars reflect different rankings of the universal constraint set, con. What is the universal set of constraints in optimality theory.
Optimality theory as applied to language was originally proposed by the linguists. The prevailing nonsequential approach to phonology, the optimality theory, ot, is based not on rewrite rules but on constraints. Linguistic and cognitive explanation in optimality theory. On the nature of the input in optimality theory 349 note that the input is crucial for this analysis, since a violation of faithfulness i.
Part of language acquisition can then be described as the process of adjusting the ranking of these constraints. However, there are known cases of phonological processes, including those found in lardil and modern hebrew. Final version of the widely circulated 1993 technical report that was the seminal work in optimality theory, never before available in. Alignment and optimality theory this paper looks at the linguistic phenomenon of alignment,in which languages show a preference for certain linguistic features to be aligned with other linguistic features. Mccarthy, university of massachusetts, amherst ot does not need to permanently influence linguistic theory. Offers proposals and analytic commentary that suggest many directions for further development for the. Despite the evolution, this book still serves any newcomer of phonology.
This article surveys the motivations for ot, its core principles, and the basics of analysis. This book is the final version of the widelycirculated 1993 technical report that introduces a conception of grammar in which wellformedness is defined as optimality with respect to a ranked set of universal constraints. In contrast, it is still an open question what the input consists of in optimality theoretic syntax. Optimality modeling is the modeling aspect of optimization theory. It espouses a serialist view of morphology that is rejected by most current phonologists. The goal of this chapter is to overview optimality theory ot, prince and smolen. There are far too many candidates, and no consensus at all on what there is to be constrained, how it is to be constrained, and what to do about exceptions and counterexamples. It also addresses some frequently asked questions about this theory and offers suggestions. Ot differs from other approaches to phonological analysis, such as autosegmental phonology and linear phonology spe, which typically use rules rather. Surface forms of language reflect resolutions of conflicts between competing demands or constraints.
Constraint interaction in generative grammar, 19932004. Serves as an excellent introduction to the principles and practice of optimality theory. On the nature of the input in optimality theory citeseerx. In linguistics, optimality theory frequently abbreviated ot. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Mar 03, 2012 optimality theory in linguistics by kie zuraw 1. The key distinction between markedness and faithfulness constraints is introduced. Formal comparison and synthesis russell james norton a thesis submitted for the degree of doctor of philosophy department of language and linguistics university of essex july 2003. Optimality theory was introduced in the 1990s by linguists alan prince and paul smolensky optimality theory. Ot reclaims traditional grammars ability to express surface generalizations.
Optimality theory assumes that these components are universal. Optimality theory has transformed the field of linguistics more than almost any other development of the past halfcentury, and prince and smolensky started it all. This evaluation allows researchers to make predictions about an organismss optimal behavior or other aspects of its phenotype. These notes explain the procedures and assumptions behind a valuable technique using in studying adaptation called optimality theory. Yet, their ubiquity notwithstanding, it is quite unclear what sociologists mean by the words theory, theoretical, and theorize. However, ot radically differs from earlier generative models in various ways. In biology, optimality models are a tool used to evaluate the costs and benefits of different organismal features, traits, and characteristics, including behavior, in the natural world. Introduction thepurpose ofthisstudyis to compare optimality theoryandrulebased phonology, focusing onlimited setsofdata from larclil andmodem hebrew.
Though originally developed from generative phonology, the principles of optimality theory have also been applied in studies of syntax, morphology, pragmatics, language change, and other. The approach based on optimality models in biology is sometimes called optimality theory. Final version of the widely circulated 1993 technical report that was the seminal work in optimality theory, never before available in book format. Optimality theory ot is a linguistic model originally proposed by the linguists alan prince and paul smolensky in 1993. Your book is focused on oldfashioned rewrite rules. Morphological segmentzero alternations in lardil without strata or opacity. Gabriel abend northwestern university theory is one of the most important words in the lexicon of contemporary sociology. Optimality theory will be welcomed by any linguist with a basic knowledge of derivational generative phonology. Constraints are the two approaches equivalent or are they fundamentally different.
The main idea is that grammars impose a set of restrictions on what are valid surface forms. Success depended on generating all of the correct forms using maximally simple rules. We should rather see it as part of the phonological toolbox, part of the technical machinery we need in order to have a fullblown theory of phonology. Although much of the interest in ot has been associated with its use in phonology the area to which ot was first applied, the theory is also applicable to other.
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