The Feature Co-occurrence
Constraint theory proposed in this dissertation provides a means to
capture the development of the language-learning child's segment
inventory. It does this by combining a growing set of features with
constraints that are automatically activated as soon as these features
are acquired. Representation and derivation go hand in hand, and develop
together during acquisition. The Feature Co-occurrence Constraint
theory builds on a minimal view of phonology, where the inventory is
seen as epiphenomenal rather than a mentally ‘real’ object, features are
few and monovalent, and the constraint set is limited to no more than
two types. The theoretical consequences of the proposal for both feature
theory and constraint theory are worked out in detail and a thorough
discussion of phonological acquisition is provided, making this book of
interest to both theoretical phonologists as acquisitionists.Language Use in Past and Presen
