<OT> New Posting: ROA-923

[roa at ruccs.rutgers.edu]

ROA 923-0807

Chechen stress and vowel deletion: An optimality theory approach

Erwin Komen <erwin_komen at SIL.org>

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=923


Abstract:
In the Northeast Caucasian language Chechen the deletion
of short vowels is connected with the stress pattern of
the language. Data elicited from native speakers indicates
that Chechen uses trochees, usually aligns them on the left,
and the main stress is on the leftmost foot. This analysis,
conducted within the framework of Optimality Theory, links
the deletion of short vowels to a tendency to reduce the
total number of syllables in a word. The resulting more
complex onsets or codas have to adhere to sonority rules.
Deletion of short vowels is restricted to those that would
otherwise not have been accented, and that are not part
of the root of a word.

Comments: 
Keywords: Chechen, stress, deletion
Areas: Phonology
Type: Manuscript

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=923