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A segment contact account of the patterning of sonorants in consonant clusters

Seo, Misun
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1070433081

Abstract Details

2003, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Linguistics.
This dissertation explores sound alternations in a consonant cluster in which at least one consonant is a sonorant (a son/C cluster, hereafter), that is, in sonorant plus sonorant, obstruent plus sonorant, or sonorant plus obstruent sequences. In this study, I hypothesize that phonological processes affecting son/C clusters are the result of segment contact rather than the Syllable Contact Law as discussed in Vennemann (1988), Clements (1998), Rice & Avery (1991), Baertsch & Davis (2000), among others. In explaining phonological modifications in son/C clusters as resulting from segment contact, I argue that the patterning of son/C clusters is closely related to speech perception. That is, as main factors motivating the alternations in the cluster, I consider contrasts of weak perceptibility triggered by phonetic similarity between two members of a cluster (Kawasaki 1982, Ohala 1992, 1993) and the poor perceptibility of a segment in contexts with weaker phonetic cues. In addition, I argue that a segment specific positional restriction can motivate phonological change in son/C clusters. Based on the findings of a typological survey concerning alternations in son/C clusters, I show that the segment contact account makes correct predictions regarding the patterning of son/C clusters, while the syllable contact account does not. This study is based on an extensive database of sound alternations found in son/C clusters, so it provides a strong empirical base for cross-linguistic comparison and for the study of phonotactic phenomena concerning sonorant consonant clusters. This study also lends robust empirical support to the segment contact approach to explaining phonological processes.
Elizabeth Hume (Advisor)
227 p.
Language, Linguistics
sonorants in consonant clusters; segment contact; Syllable Contact Law; speech perception

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Seo, M. (2003). A segment contact account of the patterning of sonorants in consonant clusters [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1070433081

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Seo, Misun. A segment contact account of the patterning of sonorants in consonant clusters. 2003. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1070433081.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Seo, Misun. "A segment contact account of the patterning of sonorants in consonant clusters." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1070433081

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.