Principles of Radical CV Phonology: A Theory of Segmental and Syllabic Structure(Edinburgh Studies in Theoretical Linguistics)

About the Book

Harry van der Hulst's model of Radical CV Phonology has roots in the framework of Dependency Phonology, but proposes a rather different 'geometry', which reduces the set of unary elements to just two: |C| and |V|. The model explains the phonological distinctions that function contrastively in the world's languages rather than presenting it as a 'random' list.
Van der Hulst shows how this model accounts for a number of central claims about markedness and minimal specification. He explains how the representational system accounts for phonological rules and shows how this theory can be applied to sign language structure. Through comparison to other models, he also provides insight into current theories of segmental structure, commonly used feature systems, as well as recurrent controversies.

Table of Contents:
Preface; List of abbreviations Chapter 1. Basic assumptions about phonology 1.1 Introduction 1.2 What is phonology? 1.3 Six theses concerning phonological primes 1.4 Is phonology different? 1.5 Alternations and processes 1.6 Summary and concluding remarks Chapter 2: Background: Dependency and Government Phonology 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Monovalency, grouping, dependency and contrastivity 2.3 Government Phonology 2.4 Toward Radical CV Phonology 2.5 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 3: Radical CV Phonology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 An outline of Radical CV Phonology 3.3 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 4: Manner 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Onset 4.3 Rhyme 4.4 Syllabic consonants (sonorants) 4.5 Long vowels, diphthongs and geminates 4.6 Summary and concluding remarks Chapter 5: Place 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Edge (onset head): obstruents 5.3 Nucleus (rhyme head): vowels 5.4 Bridge and coda 5.5 Summary and concluding remarks Chapter 6: Laryngeal: phonation and tone 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Edge (onset head): consonants (phonation) 6.3 Nucleus (rhyme head): vowels (tone) 6.4 Four issues 6.5 Bridge and coda 6.6 Summary and concluding remarks Chapter 7: Special structures 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Incomplete structures 7.3 Overcomplete structures 7.4 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 8: Predictability and preference 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Harmony 8.3 Preference ranking of segments per syllabic position 8.4 Preferred segmental systems 8.5 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 9: Minimal specification 9.1 Introduction 9.2 A typology of redundant properties 9.3 Radical underspecification 9.4 Contrastive and radical underspecification in a unary framework 9.5 Markedness, complexity and salience 9.6 Examples of minimal specification 9.7 Can redundant elements become active? 9.8 Constraints and learnability 9.9 Summary and Conclusions Chapter 10: RcvP applied to sign phonology 10.1 Introduction 10.2 The macro structure of signs 10.3 The micro structure of signs 10.4 Two-handed signs 10.5 What about syllable structure? 10.6 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 11: Comparison to other models 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Feature Geometry Models 11.3 Other models 11.4 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 12: Conclusions 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Goals and basic principles 12.3 X-bar structure everywhere 12.4 Strength and weakness 12.5 Do we need the element A after all? 12.6 What’s next? References; Subject Index; Language Index

About the Author :
Harry van der Hulst is Professor of Linguistics and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Department of Linguistics, University of Connecticut.

Review :
Principles of Radical cv Phonology is the culmination of many years of work and reflection on the nature of phonological representations. The theory, presented in a clear and thorough manner, builds on and synthesizes ideas from a number of different theoretical and descriptive approaches. Its comprehensive treatment of every major issue relating to the basic units of phonology makes this book a valuable resource for anyone with an interest in the cognitive organization of speech sounds and its relation to phonetics.