Element
interactions in intra- and interonset relations |
|
Anna
Bloch-Rozmej (Catholic University of Lublin) |
The
major focus of this presentation will be the distribution of the autosegmental licensing
potential within onset domains and interonset licensing in terms of the
conditions governing its contraction and effects. More specifically, we shall
point to special relations holding between elements within and between onset
expressions. Furthermore, the effects of element loss and element suppression
will be considered. We shall advocate the hypothesis that interonset
bridging relations that stem from the establishment of interelement bridging
are a specific manifestation of interonset licensing and hence require the
fulfillment of special contraction conditions. Also, a possibility will be
explored of unifying certain segmental dimensions, for instance voicing and
stopness, and reconsidering the effects of headedness.
To illustrate the
theoretical considerations mentioned above, we shall briefly outline the
conclusions of several analyses couched within the framework of Government
Phonology. We shall discuss a number of phenomena characteristic of the vocalic
and consonantal systems of German, Polish and Irish. The processes, thanks to
which one can gain valuable insight into interelement relations are umlaut,
final devoicing, spirantisation or degemination in German, nasal vowels in
Polish or vowel - consonant interactions in Connemara Irish. It will be
demonstrated that certain processes are triggered once particular elements
enter into bridging relations. Interelement domains may but do not have to
exist under interonset licensing. The presentation will encompass the
discussion of both of these cases.