The evolution of auditory contrast

This paper reconciles the standpoint that language users do not aim at improving their sound systems with the observation that languages seem to improve their sound systems. Computer simulations of inventories of sibilants show that Optimality-Theoretic learners who optimize their perception grammars automatically introduce a so-called prototype effect, i.e. the phenomenon that the learner’s preferred auditory realization of a certain phonological category is more peripheral than the average auditory realization of this category in her language environment. In production, however, this prototype effect is counteracted by an articulatory effect that limits the auditory form to something that is not too difficult to pronounce. If the prototype effect and the articulatory effect are of a different size, the learner must end up with an auditorily different sound system from that of her language environment. The computer simulations show that, independently of the initial auditory sound system, a stable equilibrium is reached within a small number of generations. In this stable state, the dispersion of the sibilants of the language strikes an optimal balance between articulatory ease and auditory contrast. The important point is that this is derived within a model without any goal-oriented elements such as dispersion constraints

Moroccan Arabic Segmental Variation

Previous generative work on phonological variation has been couched in discussion of “Optional” or “Variable” rules. More recently, a Partial Ranking (PR) theory of variation (Anttila/ Cho 1998) has been applied to explain inter-speaker variation. The present paper develops the PR theory of variation and applies it systematically to the analysis of some segmental phenomena in Moroccan Arabic (MA). It is argued that dialectal variation in MA is the result of variable dominance relations among ranked universal constraints. The primary advantage of the PR model is its ability to account for all speech processes, categorical as well as variable, within a single framework. Building on Optimality Theory as proposed in Prince and Smolensky (1993), McCarthy and Prince (1993), I construct a grammar which predicts in which circumstances segmental variation may or may not occur.

Loanword Adaptation: A study of some Australian Aboriginal Languages

This thesis is a case study of some aspects of the adaptation of English words in several Australian Aboriginal languages, including Martu Wangka, Gamilaraay and Warlpiri. I frame my analysis within Smith’s (to appear) source-similarity model of loanword adaptation. This model exploits loanword-specific faithfulness constraints that impose maximal similarity between the perceived source form and its corresponding loan. Using this model, I show that the conflict of the relevant prosodic markedness constraints and loanword-specific faithfulness constraints drives adaptation. Vowel epenthesis, the most frequent adaptation strategy, allows the recoverability of a maximal amount of information about the source form and ensures that the loan conforms to the constraints of language-internal phonological grammar. Less frequent strategies including deletion and substitution occur in a restricted environment. The essence of the present analysis is minimal violation, a principle that governs loanword adaptation as well as other areas of phonology

The interaction of syllabification and voicing perception in american english

The current paper explores these two sorts of phonetic explanations of the relationship between syllabic position and the voicing contrast in American English. It has long been observed that the contrast between, for example, /p/ and /b/ is expressed differently, depending on the position of the stop with respect to the vowel. Preceding a vowel within a syllable, the contrast is largely one of aspiration. /p/ is aspirated, while /b/ is voiceless, or in some dialects voiced or even an implosive. Following a vowel within a syllable, both /p/ and /b/ both tend to lack voicing in the closure and the contrast is expressed largely by dynamic differences in the transition between the previous vowel and the stop. Here, vowel and closure duration are negatively correlated such that the /p/ has a shorter vowel and longer closure duration. This difference is often enhanced by the addition of glottalization to /p/. In addition to these differences, there are additional differences connected to higher-level organization involving stress and feet edges. To make the current discussion more tractable, we will restrict ourselves to the two conditions (CV and VC) laid out above

Opposition theory and computational semiotics

Opposition theory suggests that binary oppositions (e.g., high vs. low) underlie basic cognitive and linguistic processes. However, opposition theory has never been implemented in a computational cognitive-semiotics model. In this paper, we present a simple model of metaphor identification that relies on opposition theory. An algorithm instantiating the model has been tested on a data set of 100 phrases comprising adjective-noun pairs in which approximately a half represent metaphorical language-use (e.g., dark thoughts) and the rest literal language-use (e.g., dark hair). The algorithm achieved 89% accuracy in metaphor identification and illustrates the relevance of opposition theory for modelling metaphor processing

Second language acquisition of Arabic: the development of negation and interrogation among learners in the U.K.

The study is an investigation of Interlanguage (IL) developmental sequences of the acquisition of some aspects of negation and interrogation in Arabic by English-speaking learners in a foreign- language context; (i.e.Britain).The thesis contains eight chapters. The first chapter discusses the purpose of this research and the reason for selecting the topic.Chapters two and three survey and discuss the relevant literature. This includes discussions of different approaches to Second Language Acquisition (SLA), of models and hypotheses which have been proposed concerning the nature of learners' language and the process of SLA; and of studies of variability in language, both in general and specifically in the field of SLA.In chapter four, we analyze the two structures which are to be investigated in the study. First, basic assumptions of Arabic are discussed. Then, a short, analysis of the form of each structure is presented in both languages (Arabic and English). In the course of the analysis other issues that, are essential for the understanding of the realization of the features in the two languages are discussed.Chapter five presents first the hypotheses concerning the constraints which may govern the learners' IL(s). The rest of the chapter provides details of the investigation. The subjects are described, the tasks outlined, and details of data collection are described. Finally the criteria used in assessing the learners' responses are discussed.In chapter six, the results of the analysis are presented. Chapter seven contains the discussion and interpretation of the results in relation to the hypotheses formulated. The final chapter, chapter eight, summarizes the findings of the study in regard to the hypotheses. It also discusses some of the broader implications of the results of the study. Some suggestions for further investigations are also made