Skip to main content
Contribution to Book
Implications of Harmonic Serialism for lexical tone association
Phonological Explorations. Empirical, Theoretical and Diachronic Issues (2012)
  • John J. McCarthy, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • Kevin Mullin, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • Brian W. Smith, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Abstract

In some languages, notably Kikuyu, the association of tones and syllables is completely predictable. In this chapter, we show that a derivational version of Optimality Theory, Harmonic Serialism, cannot account for Kikuyu if underlying representations include preassociated tones. If richness of the base is to be maintained, then underlying representations can contain associated tones in no language, even a language with contrastive tone association. This leads to a discussion of alternative ways of lexically encoding these contrasts, such as sequences of identical tones and diacritic accents.

Keywords
  • Harmonic Serialism,
  • tone,
  • richness of the base,
  • accent
Publication Date
2012
Editor
E. D. Botma & Roland Noske
Publisher
De Gruyter
Publisher Statement
The final publication is available at www.degruyter.com.
Citation Information
John J. McCarthy, Kevin Mullin and Brian W. Smith. "Implications of Harmonic Serialism for lexical tone association" Berlin/BostonPhonological Explorations. Empirical, Theoretical and Diachronic Issues (2012)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john_j_mccarthy/109/