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Contribution to Book
Cross-level interactions in Harmonic Serialism
Harmonic Grammar and Harmonic Serialism (2016)
  • John J. McCarthy, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • Joe Pater, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • Kathryn Pruitt, Arizona State University
Abstract

Cross-level interactions are phonological processes that make reference to multiple levels of the prosodic hierarchy, such as vowel shortening in the weak position of a foot. Cross-level interactions figure in most arguments for parallelism in Optimality Theory. This chapter demonstrates with several case studies how cross-level interactions can be analyzed in Harmonic Serialism. The key insight is that the relevant constraints may be violated in the course of the derivation, even if they are obeyed in underlying and surface forms. Cross-level interactions require parallelism only if constraints are inviolable, but that is inconsistent with a fundamental premise of Harmonic Serialism and every other version of Optimality Theory. The problems that cross-level interactions pose for serial theories with inviolable constraints are demonstrated through a review of their treatment in pre-OT constraints and repairs theories.

Publication Date
2016
Editor
John J. McCarthy & Joe Pater
Publisher
Equinox Publishing
Citation Information
John J. McCarthy, Joe Pater and Kathryn Pruitt. "Cross-level interactions in Harmonic Serialism" LondonHarmonic Grammar and Harmonic Serialism (2016)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john_j_mccarthy/113/