A Constraint-based Analysis of Feature Change in Dissimilation
Chin Wan Chung · 언어와 언어학 · 2013
This paper focuses on dissimilation1) of structure preservation case from the perspective of Optimality Theory. It is argued that dissimilation is triggered by a self-conjunctive constraint *Feature2, which does not specify the actual target of feature changes between the involved segments. The selection of a target segment is controlled by two important constraint rankings: Faith-Root/Stem ≫ Faith-Affix and Ident-Onset(Feature) ≫ Ident-Coda(Feature). The first type of dissimilation involves asymmetrical realization of stem and affix elements in the output. This type is generally explained by the former constraint ranking. The second type, which does not show clear stem and affix distinction, can be accounted for by the latter constraint ranking, which is motivated by the concepts of positional faithfulness. The representative constraints are general and the features involved in the second constraint ranking might be substituted for each language depending on the feature relevant for dissimilation. An analysis of dissimilation based on constraints and their ranking can provide a transparent rationale of the process as compared to a rule-based analysis.