<OT> New Posting: ROA-971

[roa at ruccs.rutgers.edu]

ROA 971-0508

The Odd-Parity Parsing Problem

Brett Hyde <bhyde at artsci.wustl.edu>

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=971


Abstract:
The Odd-Parity Parsing Problem is a collection of difficulties
that arise in Weak Layering (Itô and Mester 1992) accounts
when parsing an odd-parity form into binary feet. It can
be usefully divided into two sub-problems. The first sub-problem,
the Odd Heavy Problem, arises when parsing and minimality
requirements can be satisfied simultaneously by parsing
an odd-numbered heavy syllable as a monosyllabic foot. The
result is a peculiar type of quantity-sensitivity where
parsing is sensitive to the weight of odd-numbered syllables
in odd-parity forms. The second sub-problem, the Even-Only
Problem, arises when parsing and minimality requirements
can be satisfied simultaneously at the expense of faithfulness
requirements. A single syllable is added to or subtracted
from an odd-parity input to make it even-parity on the surface.
The result is a language that only allows even-parity surface
forms.


This paper focuses on the manifestations of the Odd Heavy
Problem in three OT accounts, Symmetrical Alignment (McCarthy
and Prince 1993), Asymmetrical Alignment (Alber 2005), and
Rhythmic Licensing (Kager 2001, 2005), and compares them
to the manifestation of the OHP in a simplified version
of the serial account of Hayes (1995). In examining these
different proposals, we can identify the source of the OHP
as the Weak Layering assumptions shared by each of them
and rule out potential alternatives, such as constraint
interaction, global evaluation, or particular approaches
to directional parsing effects. Once the structural nature
of the problem is established, I then demonstrate how it
is possible to provide a structural solution. An account
based on the Weak Bracketing assumptions of Hyde (2001,
2002) avoids the Odd-Parity Parsing Problem altogether.


A second purpose in comparing the manifestations of the
OHP that emerge in the three OT accounts is to assess the
effectiveness of the different approaches to directional
parsing. Though the effects of the OHP emerge in all three,
they become increasingly exotic as the role of alignment
constraints is diminished and the role of restrictions on
clash and lapse is enhanced. Although there has been much
criticism of alignment constraints in the recent literature
(Eisner 1997, Kager 2001, McCarthy 2003), they have a distinct
advantage in this context. For those who remain unconvinced
that the OHP is an insurmountable problem for Weak Layering
approaches, an account that relies heavily on alignment
constraints would seem to be most promising in terms of
minimizing its effects.

Comments: 
Keywords: minimality, parsing, stress
Areas: Phonology
Type: Manuscript

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=971