From features to contours. Why forms, not accoustic signals, should be modelled

Mathématiques et sciences humaines. Mathematics and social sciences

Brandão de Carvalho, Joaquim¹ 

关键词: autosegmental phonology;    formal phonology;    phonological features;    phonological primitives;    contours;    VOT;   

DOI  :  10.4000/msh.7513

学科分类：数学（综合）

来源: College de France * Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (E H E S S)

【 摘 要 】

It is argued here that the object of mathematical modelling in phonology should consist of discrete formal categories, not of phonetic parameters, contrary to the claims of current empiricist approaches to phonological knowledge. In any case, the existence of “temporal patterns”, emphasized by these approaches, is not an acceptable argument against formal phonology: temporal “contours” are shown to be necessary objects in phonological theory. Indeed, most so-called phonological features should be viewed as emerging from such contours. To what extent this is the case depends on whether phonological notions like “autosegmental association” could actually be mathematically grounded. As a result, the less metaphorical the concepts of phonological theory are, the more abstract the content of its primitives is.

【 授权许可】

Unknown