Explorations for a Unified and Simplified System of Universal Phonology

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At the heart of the present study of Minimalist Approach to Universal Phonology lie three theoretical assumptions : (i) the direction of autosegmental operation of spreading of phonological features depends on the size of the domain in which the phonological process operates, (ii) the phonological interpretation of features has to refer to physiological attributes and articulatory configurations of speech organs, and (iii) the notions of "weakening" (lenition) and "strengthening" (fortition) are parameterized. The optimal formalization of the first assumption is supposed to be" Spread alpha rightward if the domain of application is a phonological word. Otherwise spread alpha leftward." The second assumption is crucially related with the notion "conceptual necessity" in constructing hypotheses or theories of language. The third assumption on the nature of phonological processes crucially refers to syllable structure of language : (i) at the core of phonological processes exist two categorial distinctions, i.e., strengthening or weakening and (ii) in the periphery are internalized parametric specifications. More concretely, the periphery of weakening may include deletion, fricativization, flapping, voicing, sonorantization, and glottalization.