Phonological Argumentation - Essays on Evidence and Motivation - Steve Parker

Phonological Argumentation - Essays on Evidence and Motivation - Steve Parker

4 Contrast, comparison sets, and the perceptual space

Phonological Argumentation - Essays on Evidence and Motivation - Steve Parker

Máire Ni Chiosáin
University College Dublin
Jaye Padgett
University of California, Santa Cruz

Description

In recent years a number of researchers have argued that, in order to adequately explain contrast and its effects, phonology must be systemic: evaluation of a form cannot occur in isolation from unrelated contrasting forms, but must take such forms – what we call a ‘comparison set’ – into account. This presents a formal and empirical challenge for systemic approaches. This paper explores the comparison set within the general approach of dispersion theory, focusing on two matters: the ‘problem of infinity’ and idealization. A further challenge for the theory, though one shared by many non-systemic approaches too, involves substantiating claims about perceptual distance that underpin the approach. Our discussion of the latter issue focuses on secondary palatalization contrasts in onset versus coda position, with perceptual data from Irish. Our overall goal in this paper is to clarify the nature of these challenges and to outline our own approach to them.

Notify A Colleague

Citation

Ni Chiosáin, Máire; Padgett, Jaye. 4 Contrast, comparison sets, and the perceptual space. Phonological Argumentation - Essays on Evidence and Motivation. Equinox eBooks Publishing, United Kingdom. p. 103-121 Jan 2010. ISBN 9781845532215. https://www.equinoxpub.com/home/view-chapter/?id=29395. Date accessed: 29 Mar 2024 doi: 10.1558/equinox.29395. Jan 2010

Dublin Core Metadata