Optimality Theory (OT) posits a universal set of constraints, and the factorial typology of the constraints, i.e. through all logically possible permutations of constraints to generate all possible constraint rankings, is predicted to produce possible grammars and exclude impossible ones. This paper examines the factorial typology of the markedness constraints relevant to Mandarin mid vowel assimilation, and checks the OT factorial typology against the typology of mid vowel assimilation. I demonstrate that there is a reasonable match between the two typologies, suggest that the few mismatches can be accounted for on principled grounds, and discuss the issue of uneven frequency distribution among different typological patterns.
AnttilaArtoFongVivienneBeňušŠtefan & NyczJennifer. 2008. Variation and opacity in Singapore English consonant clusters.Phonology25.2:181–216.
2.
BaoZhiming. 1990. Fanqie languages and reduplication. Linguistic Inquiry21.3:317–350.
3.
BaoZhiming. 1996. The syllable in Chinese. Journal of Chinese Linguistics24.2:312–354.
4.
ChengChin-Chuan. 1973.A Synchronic Phonology of Mandarin Chinese. The Hague: Mouton.
5.
ClementsNickGeorge & HumeElizabeth. 1995. The internal organization of speech sounds.The Handbook of Phonological Theory(1st edition), ed. by GoldsmithJohn A., 245–306. Oxford: Blackwell.
6.
de LacyPaul, & KingstonJohn. 2013. Synchronic explanation.Natural Language & Linguistic Theory31.2:287–355.
7.
DuanmuSan. 2000. The Phonology of Standard Chinese(1st edition). Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press.
8.
DuanmuSan. 2007. The Phonology of Standard Chinese(2nd edition). Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press.
9.
HsiehFeng-fan. 2012. Low vowel raising in Sinitic languages: assimilation, reduction, or both?Language and Linguistics13.4:583–623.
10.
KagerRené. 1999. Optimality Theory.Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press.
11.
LinYen-Hwei. 1989.Autosegmental Treatment of Segmental Processes in Chinese Phonology. Austin: University of Texas at Austin dissertation.
12.
LinYen-Hwei. 2002.Mid vowel assimilation across Mandarin dialects.Journal of East Asian Linguistics11.4:303–347.
13.
LinYen-Hwei. 2007.The Sounds of Chinese. Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press.
14.
LinYen-Hwei. 2014a. Segmental phonology.The Handbook of Chinese Linguistics, ed. by James HuangC.-T., Audrey LiYen-Hui & SimpsonAndrew, 400–421. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
15.
LinYen-Hwei. 2014b. Yinjie yu Hanyu yinduan yinxi [The syllable and Chinese segmental phonology].Dangdai Yuyanxue [Contemporary Linguistics]2014.3:328–345.
16.
MaQiuwu. 2003. Optimality Theory and Mandarin Syllable Structure.Tianjin: Nankai University Press.
17.
PadgettJaye. 2002. Feature classes in phonology.Language78.1:81–110.
18.
PaterJoe. 1999. Austronesian nasal substitution and other N effects. The Prosody–Morphology Interface, ed. by KagerRené, van der HulstHarry & ZonneveldWim, 310–343.Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press.
SteriadeDonca. 2009. The phonology of perceptibility effects: the P-map and its consequences for constraint organization.The Nature of the Word: Studies in Honor of Paul Kiparsky, ed. by HansonKristin & InkelasSharon, 151–179.Cambridge: MIT Press.
21.
WangJennyZhijie. 1993. The Geometry of Segmental Features in Beijing Mandarin. Newark:University of Delaware dissertation.
22.
WieseRichard. 1997. Underspecification and the description of Chinese vowels.Studies in Chinese Phonology, ed. by WangJialing & SmithNorval219–249. Berlin & New York: Mouton de Gruyter.
23.
WuYuwen. 1994. Mandarin Segmental Phonology.Toronto:University of Toronto dissertation.
effects