Linguistics 200: Phonological Theory I
UNC-Chapel Hill Linguistics
Spring 2024
Elliott Moreton

2024 April 17 (W)

Topics: Preparation for the rest of Gnandesikan: The "OCP" and coalescence.

Class:

• HO: "Long-distance dissimilation", and ICPs therein, from various sources.
• In-class problem: Texistepec Popluca palatalization, illustrating
  • Feature-segment independence (does this remind you of anything?)
  • Morpheme-to-word alignment
  • And, most relevantly for the reading: coalescence
• Brief illustration of rounding in American English /r/

Assignment for 4/19 F: Read Sections 5-end of Gnanadesikan (2004), with Reading Guide. (Both are on Canvas.)

2024 April 15 (M)

Topics: "The Emergence of The Unmarked"

Class:

• Markedness
• TETU in adult L1 phonology
• TETU in adult L2 phonology
• TETU in child L1 phonology

2024 April 12 (F)

Topics: Phonological learning I: The initial state.

Class:

• First half of Gnanadesikan 2004:
  • "Emergence of the unmarked"
  • "Continuity hypothesis": Child and adult use same constraints with different ranking. Evidence?
  • Does universality imply innateness? What are the alternatives?
  • What is child's input? How can we tell?

2024 April 10 (W)

Topics: Factorial typology.

Class:

• Discuss HW 6: Allophony, contrast, and neutralization in voicing (Limbu, etc.)
  • Richness of the Base
  • Factorial typology
  • Relationship between (1) possible rankings, (2) predicted grammars, (3) attested grammars
• Preview of Gnanadesikan (2004)

Assignment for 4/12 F: Read Sections 1-4 of Gnanadesikan (2004), with Reading Guide. (Both are on Canvas.)

2024 April 8 (M)

Topics: Allophony, contrast, and factorial typology.

Class:

• Finish ICP on allophony, contrast, and neutralization (Limbu, etc.)
  • Factorial typology
  • Relationship between (1) possible rankings, (2) predicted grammars, (3) attested grammars
• Questions re pending assignments 6?

Assignments:

• For 4/10 W: HW 6, factorial typology and contrast

2024 April 5 (F)

Topics: Allophony, contrast, and factorial typology.

Class:

• Finish Half-HW 5, factorial typology of syllabification
• ICP: Allophony, contrast, and neutralization in voicing (Limbu, etc.)

Assignments:

• For 4/10 W: HW 6, factorial typology and contrast

2024 April 3 (W)

Topics: Factorial typology.

Class:

• Half-HW 5: Factorial typology of syllable types.
• Harmonic bounding
• Check predicted typology of syllabification and syllables against actual data (Blevins 1995).

Assignments::

• For 4/6 M: HW 6, factorial typology and contrast

2024 April 1 (M)

Topics: Universality of constraints. Alignment (II).

Class:

• HO: Writing up Negev Bedouin Arabic (Canvas)
• English syllabification problem
• HO: Summary of English syllabification problem (Canvas)
• Note re-use of constraints in unrelated languages

Assignment for 4/3 W: (Half-) HW 5, factorial typology of syllabification and syllable types.

2024 March 27 (W)

Topics: Universality of constraints. Alignment (I).

Class:

• Negev Bedouin Arabic problem
  • Alignment constraints.
  • Ranking arguments.
  • When are two constraints rankable?
  • Finding informative losers.
• HO: Writing up Negev Bedouin Arabic (Canvas)

2024 March 25 (M)

Topics: Doing Optimality Theory

• Discussion of McCarthy 2007 and connection to HW 4, including:
  • Input and candidate outputs.
  • Gen, Con, Eval.
  • Richness of the Base, instead of MSCs.
  • Freedom of analysis (Gen can do anything, and does)
  • Strict domination. Minimal violation.
  • Markedness and faithfulness constraints.
  • Factorial typology
• In-class problem: Negev Bedouin Arabic (time permitting)

2024 March 22 (F)

Topics: OT: candidates and constraint rankings

Class:

• Discuss HW 4 (Diola Fogny) and the issues it presents:
  • Winning and failed candidates
  • Markedness and faithfulness constraints
  • Violation tableaus
  • Ranking arguments. When are two constraints rankable?
  • Finding informative losers

Assignment::

• For 3/25 M: Read parts of McCarthy 2007 (on Canvas, with reading guide)

2024 March 20 (W)

Topics: Basics of Optimality Theory

Class:

• OT basics (slides, Canvas)
  • Markedness and faithfulness constraints
  • Correspondence notation
  • Comparative tableaus for ranking constraints from data
  • SPE and OT compared
• Questions re pending HW 4?

Assignment::

• For 3/22 F: HW 4, Diola Fogny.
• For 3/25 M: Read parts of McCarthy 2007 (on Canvas, with reading guide)

2024 March 18 (M)

Topics: Targets and candidates, illustrated with syllabification.

Class:

• ICP: Tibetan Numerals (Halle & Clements 1983, Shefts & Chang 1967).
• Surface targets.
• Competing candiates.
• HO: Tibetan Summary.
• Time permitting: Start on HW 4.

Assignment::

• For 3/22 F: HW 4, Diola Fogny.
• For 3/25 M: Read parts of McCarthy 2007 (on Canvas, with reading guide)

SPRING BREAK

2024 March 8 (F)

Topics:Targets and candidates, illustrated with syllabification

Class:

• Comments on midterm (brief)
• Tibetan Numerals again:
  • Surface targets and rule conspiracies.
  • Competing candidates.
• HO: Tibetan Summary (on Canvas)

2024 March 6 (W): MIDTERM

2024 March 4 (M)

Topics: Syllable-sensitive phonology and "rule conspiracies".

Class:

• HWs 2 (English /ju/) and 3 (Somali nouns)
• ICP: Tibetan numerals (with hidden agenda)

Assignment for 3/6 W: Prepare for MIDTERM. The midterm syllabus is on Canvas.

2024 March 1 (F)

Topics: Syllable-sensitive phonological rules.

Class:

• ICP: Cairene Arabic "emphasis" spread (HO, Canvas; audio examples from the International Phonetic Association)
• Time permitting: Latin glides.

2024 Feb 28 (W)

Topics: Syllables, syllabification

Class:

• Discuss Zsiga (2013) reading
• Evidence for the existence of syllables
• Internal structure of syllable: Onset, Nucleus, Coda

Assignment for 3/6 W: MIDTERM. The midterm syllabus is on Canvas.

2024 Feb 26 (M)

Topics:Non-linear representations.

Class:

• Autosegmental representations: tiers and association lines
• Non-tonal example: Nasal spreading in Sundanese
• Non-tonal example: Nasal place assimilation in Latin

Assignment: for 2/28 W: Read Zsiga 2013, Ch. 15, Sections 15.1.1, 15.1.2, and 15.1.3 (pages 331--338), which will introduce syllables. There is a reading guide on Canvas.

Announcement: Office hours on 2/27 Tues. will be later than usual (4:15--5:15) and by Zoom (link is on syllabus).

2024 Feb. 23 (F)

Topics: Non-linear representations.

Class:

• Tone-segment independence
  • Finish last time's problems about the Sanga secret languages
  • In-class problems: Tones and segments in an ordinary language: Margi (slides on Canvas)

Announcement:

• Midterm syllabus available February 28 (W)
• Midterm on March 6 (W)

2024 Feb. 21 (W)

Topics: Rule ordering.

Class:

• Rule ordering: Go over HW 3, Somali nouns.

2024 Feb. 19 (M)

Topics:Rule ordering. Start on non-linear representations,

Class:

• In-class problem: New Julfa Armenian (sequel to last time's Lithuanian problem)
• Time permitting: Begin non-linear representations.
  • In-class problem: tone-segment independence (handout on Canvas)

2024 Feb. 16 (F)

Topics:Building rule-based models. Rule ordering.

Class:

• Summary: Northern Salentino Italian
• In-class problem: Lithuanian and New Julfa Armenian
• Questions on pending HW 3?

Assignment:

• For 2/21 W: Assignment 3, Somali nouns (Canvas, Assignments)

2024 Feb. 14 (W)

Topics:Building rule-based models. Rule ordering.

Class:

• In-class problem: Northern Salentino Italian "metaphony" (Canvas)
• Summary: Northern Salentino Italian (Canvas, hidden)
• Start HW 3 (Somali nouns)

• For 2/21 W: Assignment 3, Somali nouns (Canvas, Assignments)

2024 Feb. 9 (F)

Topics:Using classes in rules.

Class:

• Go over HW2, English /ju/ distribution
• SPE rule notation (slides, Canvas)
• Time permitting: Why are palatals such a headache for feature theory? (HO, Canvas)

2024 Feb. 7 (W)

Topics: Finding natural classes in data.

Class:

• Finding natural classes in data (slides, Canvas)
• Questions re pending HW 2

• For 2/9 F: Assignment 2, English /ju/ (Canvas, Assignments)

2024 Feb. 5 (M)

Topics: Place features. Unary vs. binary. Dependent features.

Class:

• Comments on HW 1, Ibibio obstruents.
  • A rule that applies to "/p t k/" is really three rules disguised as one. How can they be collapsed into a single rule?
  • Description before analysis!
• Go over G&J place features using "Feature Questions 2" HO (with slides, Canvas)
  • Dependent features.
  • Example: [anterior], [distributed]

Assignment:

• For 2/7 W: Read G&J Chapter 6, Sections 1--4 only, on SPE rule notation (on Canvas)
• For 2/9 F: Assignment 2, English /ju/ (Canvas, Assignments)

2024 Feb. 2 (F)

Topics: Distinctive-feature theory.

Class:

• General points about using distinctive features to define classes (slides, Canvas)
• A specific feature proposal (Gussenhoven and Jacobs 2005)
  • Major class features
  • Manner features
  • In-class problem(s) from the "Feature Questions 1" HO (Canvas)

Assignment:

• For 2/5 M:
  • Read rest of Gussenhoven & Jacobs 2005, Ch. 5.
  • Think about it in connection with "Feature Questions 2" HO (Canvas)
  • Think about the in-text questions (Q42-Q47), and come prepared to discuss them.

2024 Jan. 31 (W)

Topics: Natural classes.

Class:

• In-class problems with a common theme (continued from last time):
  • HO: German [ç] and [x] (Moulton 1962)
  • HO: Tohono O'odham affricates (Odden 2013)
  • HO: Kenyang [k] and [q] (Odden 2013)
• "Natural classes": Phonetically-defined sound classes that are involved in phonological patterns in multiple languages.
• Preview of feature theory (slides, Canvas > Modules)

Assignment for 2/2 F:

• Read McCarthy 2001 article in the MIT Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science.
• Read Gussenhoven & Jacobs Ch. 5 through the end of Section 4.
• Download the ``Feature Questions 1'' handout. This is not to hand in.

2024 Jan. 29 (M)

Topics: Natural classes.

Class:

• Discuss HW 1 (Ibibio obstruents).
• In-class problems with a common theme (as many as will fit):
  • HO: German [ç] and [x] (Moulton 1962)
  • HO: Tohono O'odham affricates (Odden 2013)
  • HO: Kenyang [k] and [q] (Odden 2013)
• "Natural classes": Phonetically-defined sound classes that are involved in phonological patterns in multiple languages.
• Preview of feature theory (slides, Canvas > Modules)

2024 Jan. 26 (F)

Topics: Predictability without alternations.

Class:

• Finish up the Kipsigis in-class problem from last time.
• Slides: Georgian in-class problem. Points:
  • No alternations in data, but still predictable
  • Which analysis is to be preferred?
• HO: Summary of Georgian problem, and how to write it up

Assignment for 1/29 M: HW 1, allophony in Ibibio obstruents (Canvas, Assignments)

2024 Jan. 24 (W)

Topics:Separating predictable from unpredictable information.

Class:

• HO: Summary of Dutch-plural problem, and how to write it up
  • Separating predictable information from unpredictable
  • Rules-plus-lexicon model architecture
• Deciding between competing analyses
• Slides: Kipsigis in-class problem. Points:
  • T-diagrams for finding effects of context
  • Alternations yield information relevant to non-alternating sounds too
  • Which analysis is to be preferred?

Assignment for 1/29 M: HW 1, allophony in Ibibio obstruents (Canvas, Assignments)

2024 Jan. 22 (M)

Topics: Motivating phonology. Predictable vs. unpredictable information.

Class:

• Discuss Kenstowicz & Kisseberth 1979 reading
• Slides: Motivating phonology (Canvas; truncated version will be continued after exercise is solved)
• Predictable and unpredictable information
• In-class problem: Model-building for Dutch plurals (Gussenhoven & Jacobs 2005)
• If we get that far: HO: Summary of Dutch-plural problem, and how to write it up
  • Separating predictable information from unpredictable
  • Rules-plus-lexicon model architecture

Announcement: Office hours are T 2-3 and F 2:30-3:30

2024 Jan. 19 (F)

Topics: Finish phonetics review. Phonetics vs. phonology, phonology vs. morphosyntax.

Class:

• From last time: Converting between
  • MRI image of vowel articulation
  • Articulatory description
  • IPA symbol
• From 1/10 HO ("Examples of phonology"): Distinguishing between phonetics and phonology. Example: Spanish.
• "Where's phonology?" (slides on Canvas)

Assignment for 1/21 M:

• Read Kenstowicz & Kisseberth 1979, Ch. 2, pp. 25--35 with the reading guide (both on Canvas > Modules > Class materials).

Announcement:

• Office hours (still tentative): T 2-3, F 2:30-3:30

2024 Jan. 17 (W)

Topics: Phonetics of consonants. Start vowel review.

Class:

• From last time: converting
  • MRI video to articulatory description to IPA symbol
  • IPA symbol to articulatory descriptio to sketch (handout>
• Slides: Phonetics of vowels (Canvas)
  • Vowels as deformable tubes
  • Height, backness, and rounding
  • IPA vowel symbols
  • Try some examples

2024 Jan. 12 (F)

Topics: Phonetics of consonants

Class:

• Why phonologists need to know phonetics
• Goals of phonetics review:
  • Convert in both directions between descriptions and articulations
  • Use IPA chart to convert in both directions between symbols and descriptions
  • Do that without looking at chart for unshaded symbols on IPA-chart HO (Canvas Resources)
• Slides: Phonetics of consonants (Canvas, Resource)
  • Voicing and other laryngeal properties
  • Place of articulation
  • Manner of articulation
  • Try some examples

2024 Jan. 10 (W)

Topics: Course organization. What is phonology?

Class:

• Course organization.
  • Syllabus
  • Using relevant technology (Canvas, class log, IPA).
  • UNC Honor Code.
• Read script on preparedness in the classroom.
• Slides: Examples of phonology (Canvas > Modules > Course materials)
• (Time permitting:) Slides: Phonetics of consonants (Canvas > Modules > Course materials)
  • Why phonologists need to know phonetics
  • Goals of phonetics review
  • Time permitting: Start on actual consonant phonetics

Assignment for 1/12 (F):

• Post an introduction in Canvas > Discussions > Introductions
• Read Hayes 2009, Ch. 1, a review of phonetics (Canvas > Modules > Course materials)