scholarly journals Truncating English and Arabic Onset Cluster by a Bilingual Child: An Optimality Theory Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1139
Author(s):  
Hana Asaad Daana
Keyword(s):  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Theory Model ◽  
Bilingual Child ◽  
Early Speech ◽  
Constraint Hierarchy

This study investigates the process of truncating English and Arabic onset cluster in the early speech of a bilingual child within the framework of Optimality Theory Model. It specifically proposes the child’s hierarchical grammar(s) responsible for the child’s process of simplifying English and Arabic consonantal sequences into singletons in onset position. The importance of this research stems from the absence of research on truncating Arabic onset cluster within the Optimality Theory perspective. Therefore, it is the first to put this theory into practice as far as reducing Arabic clusters is concerned. The data for this research were collected through parental diaries. Only data collected between the ages of 1;9 and 2;5 were analysed. The results reveal two different hierarchies of the grammar each of which is responsible for truncating the clusters into singletons in one particular language. The results also reveal a conformity with the universally fixed onset constraint hierarchy in the child’s English production. However, a deviation from this universally fixed onset constraint hierarchy is detected in the production of the sequence formed by fricative followed by stop or vice versa in Arabic.

scholarly journals Neural networks, penalty logic and optimality theory

2009 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 53-94
Author(s):  
Reinhard Blutner
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Modern Logic ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Formal Basis ◽  
The One ◽  
Neuronal Systems ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Constraint Hierarchy

Ever since the discovery of neural networks, there has been a controversy between two modes of information processing. On the one hand, symbolic systems have proven indispensable for our understanding of higher intelligence, especially when cognitive domains like language and reasoning are examined. On the other hand, it is a matter of fact that intelligence resides in the brain, where computation appears to be organized by numerical and statistical principles and where a parallel distributed architecture is appropriate. The present claim is in line with researchers like Paul Smolensky and Peter Gärdenfors and suggests that this controversy can be resolved by a unified theory of cognition – one that integrates both aspects of cognition and assigns the proper roles to symbolic computation and numerical neural computation. The overall goal in this contribution is to discuss formal systems that are suitable for grounding the formal basis for such a unified theory. It is suggested that the instruments of modern logic and model theoretic semantics are appropriate for analyzing certain aspects of dynamical systems like inferring and learning in neural networks. Hence, I suggest that an active dialogue between the traditional symbolic approaches to logic, information and language and the connectionist paradigm is possible and fruitful. An essential component of this dialogue refers to Optimality Theory (OT) – taken as a theory that likewise aims to overcome the gap between symbolic and neuronal systems. In the light of the proposed logical analysis notions like recoverability and bidirection are explained, and likewise the problem of founding a strict constraint hierarchy is discussed. Moreover, a claim is made for developing an "embodied" OT closing the gap between symbolic representation and embodied cognition.  

Optimality Theory and variable word-final deletion in Faetar

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Nagy ◽  
Bill Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Optimal Output ◽  
Input Form ◽  
Constraint Hierarchy

ABSTRACTWe examine a pattern of end-of-word deletion in Faetar, a Francoprovençal dialect spoken in southern Italy, considering synchronic variants like [brókələ] ˜ [brókəl] ˜ [brókə] ˜ [brok] ‘fork’. We use the word “deletion” as a synchronic description of the facts; speakers do not always phonetically produce everything in the input form, assuming that the input form is the longest form ever produced. Optimality Theory accounts for this type of variation by positing different rankings of the constraint hierarchy, each of which produces a different optimal output. The predication of alternate constraint rankings within a single dialect, however, poses problems for Optimality Theory as it has been formulated, necessitating numerous grammars for each speaker. We propose floating constraints (Reynolds, 1994), whereby some particular constraint within a single grammar may be represented as falling anywhere within a designated range in the ranking hierarchy. In a previous study (Reynolds & Nagy, 1994) we showed that this model accounts for the distribution of types of output forms produced. Here, we analyze a corpus of 624 tokens from 40 speakers and show that the pattern of distribution of tokens is accounted for as well: the number of rankings that produce each output form is closely correlated to the number of output forms that occur in the data set.

An OT-ET Analysis of Polish Singular-Plural Pairs

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Xiaowen Ji ◽  
Jincheng Ni
Keyword(s):  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Combined Model ◽  
Analysis Pattern ◽  
Word Clouds ◽  
Exemplar Theory ◽  
Language Data ◽  
Object Of Study ◽  
Constraint Hierarchy ◽  
Linguistic Phenomenon

Optimality Theory (OT) and Exemplar Theory (ET) are two enchanting theories to many scholars, but each still faces criticism and remaining persistent problems. Application of both theories to areas in linguistics where conflicts may arise has been attempted, but still the suitability of combining the two theories to resolve contradictions awaits further analysis and verification. This article takes Polish singular-plural pairs as the object of study and argues in favor of an OT-ET combined model of analyzing the linguistic phenomenon. First, an underlying representation is identified to be the input in an OT analysis. Then two main changes are recognized between the input and output, and are regarded as instances of positional neutralization, and their relevant constraints and constraint hierarchies are presented. Following this, challenges are posed to OT despite its merits. It turns out that the combined OT-ET model works well, with historical development, underspecification, constraint hierarchy, and resemblance to existing word clouds, among others, all playing relevant parts. The current study adds to the extensiveness of language data analyzed for or against combining OT and ET, and sketches the analysis pattern of thus doing, with a view to offering more real-life language materials for an OT-ET combined model.

Vowel deletion as mora usurpation: the case of Yine

Phonology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Theory Model ◽  
Phonological Information ◽  
Limited Access ◽  
Underlying Representation ◽  
Vowel Deletion

Vowel deletion in Yine crucially refers to both morphological and phonological information. It has been argued that the process is only analysable in a theory where the phonology has access to morphology, either on the assumption of different morphological domains of constraint evaluation (Lin 1987, 1997a, b) or on the assumption of morphologically indexed optimality-theoretic constraints (Pater 2009). In contrast, I propose a phonological analysis of vowel deletion in Yine in a parallel Optimality Theory model. The phonology, I assume, has only limited access to morphological information, and can only distinguish between affix and stem material. I argue that the morphemes that trigger deletion of a preceding vowel have a defective underlying representation: they lack a mora, and ‘usurp’ the mora of a preceding vowel.

Predicted and observed multidecadal variations of tree physiological responses to climate and rising  CO2: insights from tree-ring carbon isotopes in temperate forests.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumaya Belmecheri ◽  
R. Stockton Maxwell ◽  
Alan. H Taylor ◽  
Kenneth. J Davis ◽  
Rossella Guerrieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Isotopes ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Water Loss ◽  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Temperate Forests ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Theory Model ◽  
Carbon Gain ◽  
Terrestrial Vegetation

<p>Increasing water-use efficiency (WUE), the ratio of carbon gain to water loss, is a key mechanism that enhances carbon uptake by terrestrial vegetation under rising atmospheric CO<sub>2 </sub>(c<sub>a</sub>). Existing theory and empirical evidence suggest a proportional increase of WUE in response to rising c<sub>a</sub> as plants maintain a relatively constant ratio between the leaf internal (c<sub>i</sub>) and ambient (c<sub>a</sub>) partial CO<sub>2</sub> pressure (c<sub>i</sub>/c<sub>a</sub>). This has been hypothesized as the main driver of the strengthening of the terrestrial carbon sink over the recent decades. However, proportionality may not characterize CO<sub>2</sub> effects on WUE on longer time-scales and the role of climate in modulating these effects is uncertain. We evaluated the long-term WUE responses to c<sub>a</sub> and climate from 1901-2012 CE by reconstructing intrinsic WUE (iWUE, the ratio of photosynthesis to stomatal conductance) using carbon isotopes in tree rings across temperate forests in the northeastern USA. We further replicated iWUE reconstructions at eight additional sites for the 1992-2012 period-overlapping with the common period of the longest flux-tower record at Harvard Forest to evaluate the spatial coherence of recent iWUE variation across the region. Finally, we compared tree-ring based and modelled c<sub>i</sub>/c<sub>a</sub> over the 1901-2012 period to examine whether temporal patterns of c<sub>i</sub>/c<sub>a</sub> reconstructions are consistent with predictions based on the optimality principle of balancing the costs of water loss and carbon gain.</p><p>We found that iWUE increased steadily from 1901 to 1975 CE but remained constant thereafter despite continuously rising c<sub>a</sub>. This finding is consistent with a passive physiological response to c<sub>a</sub> and coincides with a shift to significantly wetter conditions across the region. Tree physiology was driven by summer moisture at multi-decadal time-scales and did not maintain a constant c<sub>i</sub>/c<sub>a </sub>in response to rising c<sub>a</sub> indicating that a point was reached where rising CO<sub>2</sub> had a diminishing effect on tree iWUE.  The c<sub>i</sub>/c<sub>a</sub> derived from tree-ring d<sup>13</sup>C and the predicted values based on the optimality theory model had similar median values over the 1901-2012 CE period, though with a modest agreement (R<sup>2</sup><sub>adj </sub>= 0.22, p < 0.001). The reconstructed and predicted c<sub>i</sub>/c<sub>a </sub>trends were not statistically different from 0 when estimated over the 1901-2012 CE period; however, isotope-based reconstruction of the c<sub>i</sub>/c<sub>a </sub>trend<sub></sub>showed distinct multidecadal variation while the predicted c<sub>i</sub>/c<sub>a </sub>remained nearly constant. Our results challenge the mechanism, magnitude, and persistence of CO<sub>2</sub>’s effect on iWUE with significant implications for projections of terrestrial productivity under a changing climate.</p>

scholarly journals A unified analysis of two reduplication processes in Saraiki

2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-382
Author(s):  
Jeroen van de Weijer ◽  
Firdos Atta
Keyword(s):  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Specific Nature ◽  
Single Constraint ◽  
Constraint Hierarchy

AbstractWe analyse two reduplication processes in Saraiki, an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Pakistan. The two processes are only minimally different: the first type involves total reduplication and the second type involves overwriting with an initial consonant (“fixed segment reduplication”). The goal of the paper is to expose the difficulties of analysing both processes in a single grammar, i.e. with a single constraint hierarchy in Optimality Theory: we finally opt for an analysis based on allomorphy for the second type, to capture the morpheme-specific nature of the processes involved.

scholarly journals Gradual Vowel Epenthesis in Urban Hijazi Arabic

Languages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Faisal M. Al-Mohanna
Keyword(s):  
Internal Structure ◽  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Vowel Quality ◽  
Vowel Epenthesis ◽  
Paradoxical Situation ◽  
Harmonic Serialism ◽  
Constraint Hierarchy ◽  
Epenthetic Vowel

In this paper, vowel epenthesis in Urban Hijazi Arabic is analysed as a process of gradual structural build-up. Harmonic Serialism, a derivational framework of Optimality Theory, provides the theoretical foundation to illustrate the arguments. Rather than epenthesising an entire vowel all at once, featural structure progressively increases in successive steps. This accumulation continues until the required vowel quality is achieved. Specifically, the constraint hierarchy predicts high epenthetic vowels to occur in closed syllables and the low epenthetic vowel in open syllables. The same constraint hierarchy, however, is also expected to predict both gradual epenthesis and gradual deletion. In that regard, a seemingly paradoxical situation is created when the very same intermediate vowel quality is achieved through accumulation or attrition of featural structure. This particular vowel quality, in exactly the same environment, will have to continue gaining internal structure towards epenthesis or continue losing internal structure towards deletion. Eventually, identifying the path that the derivation takes to reach a certain vowel will help to resolve the issue.

scholarly journals Phonological development in the early speech of an Indonesian-German bilingual child

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ni Luh Putu Sri Adnyani ◽  
I Wayan Pastika
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Phonological Development ◽  
Sound System ◽  
Phonological Processes ◽  
Bilingual Child ◽  
Dominant Language ◽  
Linguistic System ◽  
Early Speech ◽  
Crosslinguistic Influence

Current research in bilingual children’s language development with one language dominant has shown that one linguistic system can affect the other. This is called Crosslinguistic Influence (CLI). This paper explores whether CLI is experienced by a bilingual child raised in two typologically distinct languages in terms of phonological development. It uses data from the study of a child simultaneously acquiring Indonesian and German between the ages of 12 months - 20 months, with Indonesian as the dominant language. The sound segments developed by the child showed universal tendencies, with the appearance of bilabials prior to alveolar sounds, followed by velar sounds. The sounds were produced mostly in the form of stops, nasals and glides. Three phonological processes were displayed by the child: substitution, assimilation and syllable structures. The front rounded vowel [ʏ], which exists in German but not in the Indonesian sound system, was systematically replaced by the palatal approximant [j]. This approximant exists in the Indonesian sound system but not in the German phonemic inventory. This provides evidence that, in terms of phonological development, the child experienced CLI, but only for certain sound transfers.

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