Doing Optimality Theory
Applying Theory to Data
Published on 26. January 2009
328 pages
978-1-4443-0119-9 (ISBN)
Description
Doing Optimality Theory brings together examples andpractical, detailed advice for undergraduates and graduate studentsworking in linguistics. Given that the basic premises of OptimalityTheory are markedly different from other linguistic theories, thisbook presents the analytic techniques and new ways of thinking andtheorizing that are required.
* * Explains how to do analysis and research using OptimalityTheory (OT) - a branch of phonology that has revolutionized thefield since its conception in 1993
* * Offers practical, in-depth advice for students and researchersin the field, presented in an engaging way
* * Features numerous examples, questions, and exercisesthroughout, all helping to illustrate the theory and summarize thecore concepts of OT
* * Written by John J. McCarthy, one of the theory's leadingproponents and an instrumental figure in the dissemination and useof OT today
* * An ideal guide through the intricacies of linguistic analysisand research for beginning researchers, and, by example, one whichwill lead the way to future developments in the field.
Reviews / Votes
"An intensely practical book, full of concrete problemsolving advice, which should be well-thumbed by those learning and working within OT." (Journal of Linguistics, 2009)"Built on deep experience in research and teaching, and drawingexpertly on recent advances in handling the theory, McCarthy'svolume conducts the reader closer than any previous text to theheart of the Optimality Theoretic enterprise. Lucidly grounded inthe nuts-and-bolts of analytic technique, the book includesnumerous exercises and questions that will stimulate, inspire, andprovoke. Along the way the reader will encounter many sharpobservations about matters ranging from theory-construction towriting up research results; these alone are worth the price ofentry." --Alan Prince, Rutgers University "This book not only fills a major gap in the books on OT forbeginners, but also offers wise advice for more experiencedresearchers." --Moira Yip, University College London "There are many introductions to OT as a theory, but none withhands-on training on the nitty-gritty details of how to actually doOT research. McCarthy's book, brimming with thought-provokingquestions and problem sets, provides the guidance needed." --Junko Ito, University of California Santa CruzMore details
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Person
John J. McCarthy is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His widely cited but unpublished manuscript "Prosodic Morphology I: Constraint Interaction and Satisfaction" (with Alan Prince, 1993) has been an important factor in the dissemination of Optimality Theory. He is also the author of Formal Problems in Semitic Phonology and Morphology (1985), A Thematic Guide to Optimality Theory (2002), and Hidden Generalizations: Phonological Opacity in Optimality Theory (2007), as well as the editor of Optimality Theory in Phonology: A Reader (Blackwell, 2004).
Content
Acknowledgments.
Read This First!.
List of Abbreviations.
1. An Introduction to Optimality Theory.
1.1 How OT Began.
1.2 Why Must Constraints Be Violable?.
1.3 The Nature of Constraints in OT.
1.4 Candidate Sets: OT's Gen Component.
1.5 Candidate Evaluation: OT's Eval Component.
1.6 Constraint Activity.
1.7 Differences Between Languages.
1.8 The Version of OT Discussed in This Book.
1.9 Suggestions for Further Reading.
2. How to Construct an Analysis.
2.1 Where to Begin.
2.2 How to Rank Constraints.
2.3 Working through an Analysis in Phonology.
2.4 The Limits of Ranking Arguments.
2.5 Candidates in Ranking Arguments.
2.6 Harmonic Bounding.
2.7 Constraints in Ranking Arguments.
2.8 Inputs in Ranking Arguments.
2.9 Working through an Analysis in Syntax.
2.10 Finding and Fixing Problems in an Analysis.
2.11 Constraint Ranking by Algorithm and Computer.
2.12 The Logic of Constraint Ranking and Its Uses.
3. How to Write Up an Analysis.
3.1 Introduction.
3.2 How to Organize a Paper.
3.3 How to Present an OT analysis.
3.4 The Responsibilities of Good Scholarship.
3.5 How to Write Clearly.
3.6 General Advice about Research Topics.
4. Developing New Constraints.
4.1 Introduction.
4.2 When Is It Necessary to Modify Con?.
4.3 How to Discover a New Constraint.
4.4 How to Define a New Constraint.
4.5 Properties of Markedness Constraints.
4.6 Properties of Faithfulness Constraints.
4.7 Justifying Constraints.
4.8 A Classified List of Common Phonological MarkednessConstraints.
5. Language Typology and Universals.
5.1 Factorial Typology.
5.2 Languages Universals and How to Explain Them in OT.
5.3 Investigating the Factorial Typology of a ConstraintSet.
5.4 Using Factorial Typology to Test New Constraints.
5.5 Factorial Typology When Con Isn't Fully Known.
5.6 How to Proceed from Typology to Constraints.
6. Some Current Research Questions.
6.1 Introduction.
6.2 How Does a Language Vary?.
6.3 How Is Language Acquired?.
6.4 Does OT Need Derivations?.
6.5 How Is Ungrammaticality Accounted For?.
6.6 Is Faithfulness Enough?.
Afterword.
References.
Constraint Index.
Language Index.
Subject Index
