Explorations for a Unified and Simplified System of Universal Phonology

本研究的核心是三个理论假设：(I)语音特征传播的自段操作的方向取决于语音过程所在领域的大小；(Ii)语音特征的语音解释必须参考语音器官的生理属性和发音构型；以及(Iii)“弱化”(Lenition)和“加强”(Fortition)的概念是参数化的。第一个假设的最佳形式化应该是“如果应用领域是音系词，则向右扩展字母。否则向左扩展。”第二个假设与构建语言假设或理论的“概念必然性”概念密切相关。关于语音过程性质的第三个假设主要指的是语言的音节结构：(I)在语音过程的核心存在两个范畴的区别，即加强或减弱；(Ii)在外围是内化的参数规范。更具体地说，弱化的外围可能包括缺失、摩擦、拍打、发声、声门化和声门化。

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.