24.961
Introduction to Phonology
First half of a year-long introduction to the phonological component of grammar. Introduces the major research results, questions, and analytic techniques in the field of phonology. Focuses on segmental feature structure and prosodic structure while the sequel ( 24.962 ) considers the interfaces of phonology with morphology, syntax, and the lexicon. Students should have basic knowledge of articulatory phonetic description and phonetic transcription.
Fall 2014
Topics
- Basic Premises of the Generative Approach
- Early Generative Model
- Ordered Rules
- Derivational Constraints and Conspiracies
- Phonotactics and Markedness
- OT-1: The Basics
- OT-2: Allophonic Distribution and Phonological Scales
- OT-3: Positional Faithfulness, Constraint Conjunction, Global Comparison
- OT-4: Serial Derivations
- Feature Organization-1
- Feature Organization-2: Organization Below The Root Node
- Feature Organization-3: Underspecification
- Licensing by Cue and P-Map
- Contrast and Perceptual Distinctiveness
- Tone-1: African Languages
- Tone-2: Asian Languages
- Harmony-1
- Harmony-2
- Syllable-1: Sonority
- Syllable-2: Syllable Parsing
- Stress-1: Metrical Grid
- Stress-2: Trochaic Typology
- Stress-3: Stress in Windows
- Stress-4: Peak Prominence Systems
- Prosodic Morphology-1
- Prosodic Morphology-2
Readings
- [PGG] = Kenstowicz, Michael. Phonology in Generative Grammar . Blackwell Publishing, 1994. ISBN: 9781557864260.
- [TGOT] = McCarthy, John J. A Thematic Guide to Optimality Theory . Cambridge University Press, 2001. ISBN: 9780521796446.
- [DOT] = ———. Doing Optimality Theory: Applying Theory to Data . Wiley-Blackwell, 2008. ISBN: 9781405151368.
- [PGG] Chapter 1: The Sounds of Speech.
- [PGG] Chapter 2: Phonological Rules and Representations.
- [PGG] “Phonological Alternations and Derivations.” Chapter 3, pp. 89–114.
- LEC #: 4 · TOPICS: Derivational Constraints and Conspiracies · SUGGESTED READINGS: Kisseberth, Charles W. “The Relative and the Absolute: The Tunica Stress Conspiracy.” University of Illinois, 1970. Unpublished ms.
- LEC #: 5 · TOPICS: Phonotactics and Markedness · SUGGESTED READINGS: Rice, Keren. “Markedness in Phonology.” Chapter 4 in The Cambridge Handbook of Phonology . Edited by Paul De Lacy. Cambridge University Press, 2012. ISBN: 9781107404892.
- LEC #: 6 · TOPICS: OT-1: The Basics · SUGGESTED READINGS: [TGOT] Chapter 1: The Core of Optimality Theory.
- LEC #: 7 · TOPICS: OT-2: Allophonic Distribution and Phonological Scales · SUGGESTED READINGS: [DOT] Chapter 2: How to Construct an Analysis.
- LEC #: 8 · TOPICS: OT-3: Positional Faithfulness, Constraint Conjunction, Global Comparison · SUGGESTED READINGS: [TGOT] “Consequences of Globality and Parallelism.” Chapter 3.3, pp. 138–63.
- [PGG] Chapter 8: The Phonological Skeleton.
- Ladefoged, Peter, and Keith Johnson. “Acoustic Phonetics.” Chapter 8 in A Course in Phonetics . 7th ed. Wadsworth Publishing, 2014. ISBN: 9781285463407.
- [PGG] “Feature Geometry, Underspecfication, and Constraints.” Chapter 9, pp. 451–74.
- Steriade, Donca. “Underspecification and Markedness.” Chapter 4 in The Handbook of Phonological Theory . Edited by John A. Goldsmith. Blackwell Publishers, 1996. ISBN: 9780631201267.
- Flemming, Edward. “Contrast and Perceptual Distinctiveness.” Chapter 8 in Phonetically Based Phonology . Edited by Bruce Hayes, Robert Kirchner, and Donca Steriade. Cambridge University Press, 2008. ISBN: 9780521054614.
- [PGG] “Autosegmental Phonology.” Chapter 7, pp. 310–38.
- LEC #: 16 · TOPICS: Tone-2: Asian Languages · SUGGESTED READINGS: [PGG] “Autosegmental Phonology.” Chapter 7, pp. 376–94.
- LEC #: 17 · TOPICS: Harmony-1 · SUGGESTED READINGS: Archangeli, Diana, and Douglas Pulleyblank. “Harmony.” Chapter 15 in The Cambridge Handbook of Phonology . Edited by Paul De Lacy. Cambridge University Press, 2012. ISBN: 9781107404892.
- LEC #: 19 · TOPICS: Syllable-1: Sonority · SUGGESTED READINGS: Zec, Draga. “The Syllable.” Chapter 8 in The Cambridge Handbook of Phonology . Edited by Paul De Lacy. Cambridge University Press, 2012. ISBN: 9781107404892.
- [PGG] “Stress.” Chapter 10, pp. 548–64.
- Halle, Morris, and William Idsardi. “General Properties of Stress and Metrical Structure.” Chapter 11 in The Handbook of Phonological Theory . Edited by John A. Goldsmith. Blackwell Publishers, 1996. ISBN: 9780631201267.
- Kager, René. “Feet and Metrical Stress.” Chapter 9 in The Cambridge Handbook of Phonology . Edited by Paul De Lacy. Cambridge University Press, 2012. ISBN: 9781107404892.
- LEC #: 26 · TOPICS: Prosodic Morphology-1 · SUGGESTED READINGS: [PGG] Chapter 11: Prosodic Morphology.
- Kenstowicz, Michael. Phonology in Generative Grammar . Blackwell Publishing, 1994. ISBN: 9781557864260.
- McCarthy, John J. A Thematic Guide to Optimality Theory . Cambridge University Press, 2001. ISBN: 9780521796446.
- ———. Doing Optimality Theory: Applying Theory to Data . Wiley-Blackwell, 2008. ISBN: 9781405151368.
Prerequisites & course information
Prereq: Permission of instructor G (Fall) 3-0-9 units
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026–2027
- MIT OpenCourseWare ↗Fall 2014
- MIT OCW calendar ↗
- MIT OCW readings ↗
- MIT OCW syllabus ↗
- Historical MIT OpenCourseWare offering. Named reading entries and schedule topics are automatically extracted from the linked source pages.