Optimality Theory.pdf

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Optimality Theory

This is an introduction to OptimalityTheory, the central idea of which

is that surface forms of language reﬂect resolutions of conﬂicts be-

tween competing constraints. A surface form is ‘optimal’ if it incurs

the least serious violations of a set of constraints, taking into account

their hierarchical ranking. Languages differ in the ranking of con-

straints; and any violations must be minimal.The book does not limit

its empirical scope to phonological phenomena, but also contains

chapters on the learnability of OT grammars; OT’s implications for

syntax; and other issues such as opacity. It also reviews in detail a

selection of the considerable research output which OT has already

produced. Exercises accompany chapters 1–7, and there are sections

on further reading. OptimalityTheory will be welcomed by any lin-

guist with a basic knowledge of derivational Generative Phonology.

RENÉ KAGER teaches linguistics at Utrecht University, the

Netherlands.

CAMBRIDGE TEXTBOOKS IN LINGUISTICS

General editors : S. R. ANDERSON, J. BRESNAN, B. COMRIE, W.

DRESSLER, C. EWEN, R. HUDDLESTON, R. LASS, D. LIGHTFOOT,

J. LYONS, P. H. MATTHEWS, R. POSNER, S. ROMAINE, N. V.

SMITH, N. VINCENT

OPTIMALITY THEORY