Principles of Radical CV Phonology

A new theory of the structure of phonological representations for segments and syllables
Based on 30 years of research, this book presents a theory about the 'speech sounds' that occur in human spoken and signed languages. Identifying the ultimate elements of which speech sounds consist, Harry van der Hulst proposes a radical theory that recognises only two elements: |C| and |V|. Based on a small set of first principles, the book explains what a possible speech sound is and provides explicit structures for all speech sounds that occur in the world's languages. With numerous examples from hundreds of languages, including Dutch, Czech, Japanese, Kabardian, Hungarian, Korean and Zulu, the book also provides insight into current theories of segmental structure, commonly used feature systems and recurrent controversies.Key features
. Presents detailed analysis of phonological contrast. Introduces the central role of dependency relations in phonological structure. Offers comparison to other models including dependency phonology and government phonology. Covers both European and North-American theories. Contains introductions to many other theories including feature geometry models, the Toronto model, the parallel structure model and q-theory, which can be used for phonology courses. Draws on examples from a wide range of languages including Dutch, Czech, Japanese, Kabardian, Hungarian, Korean and Zulu
Harry van der Hulst is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Connecticut. He is the Editor-in-Chief of The Linguistic Review and co-editor of the series Studies in Generative Grammar.

Harry van der Hulst is Professor of Linguistics and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Department of Linguistics, University of Connecticut.

Preface; List of abbreviations Chapter 1. Basic assumptions about phonology 1.1 Introduction 1.2 What is phonology? 1.3 Six theses concerning phonological primes 1.4 Is phonology different? 1.5 Alternations and processes 1.6 Summary and concluding remarks Chapter 2: Background: Dependency and Government Phonology 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Monovalency, grouping, dependency and contrastivity 2.3 Government Phonology 2.4 Toward Radical CV Phonology 2.5 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 3: Radical CV Phonology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 An outline of Radical CV Phonology 3.3 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 4: Manner 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Onset 4.3 Rhyme 4.4 Syllabic consonants (sonorants) 4.5 Long vowels, diphthongs and geminates 4.6 Summary and concluding remarks Chapter 5: Place 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Edge (onset head): obstruents 5.3 Nucleus (rhyme head): vowels 5.4 Bridge and coda 5.5 Summary and concluding remarks Chapter 6: Laryngeal: phonation and tone 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Edge (onset head): consonants (phonation) 6.3 Nucleus (rhyme head): vowels (tone) 6.4 Four issues 6.5 Bridge and coda 6.6 Summary and concluding remarks Chapter 7: Special structures 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Incomplete structures 7.3 Overcomplete structures 7.4 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 8: Predictability and preference 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Harmony 8.3 Preference ranking of segments per syllabic position 8.4 Preferred segmental systems 8.5 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 9: Minimal specification 9.1 Introduction 9.2 A typology of redundant properties 9.3 Radical underspecification 9.4 Contrastive and radical underspecification in a unary framework 9.5 Markedness, complexity and salience 9.6 Examples of minimal specification 9.7 Can redundant elements become active? 9.8 Constraints and learnability 9.9 Summary and Conclusions Chapter 10: RcvP applied to sign phonology 10.1 Introduction 10.2 The macro structure of signs 10.3 The micro structure of signs 10.4 Two-handed signs 10.5 What about syllable structure? 10.6 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 11: Comparison to other models 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Feature Geometry Models 11.3 Other models 11.4 Summary and Concluding remarks Chapter 12: Conclusions 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Goals and basic principles 12.3 X-bar structure everywhere 12.4 Strength and weakness 12.5 Do we need the element A after all? 12.6 What's next? References; Subject Index; Language Index