Abstract

Since the start of Optimality Theory (Prince & Smolensky, 1993), research on phonological acquisition has explored the explanatory potential of constraint theories. This study, also based on Optimality Theory, attempts to analyze the acquisition of CVVC syllable structure by Brazilian Portuguese children and addresses the issue of Local Conjunction (Smolensky, 1995, 1997) in research that deals with problems of phonological acquisition.

Highlights

  • Since Local Conjunction was proposed by Smolensky (1995, 1997), it has been basically used to analyze phonological aspects of the adult grammar

  • According to Matzenauer (1999), Onset is the first constraint related to syllable structure that needs to be demoted in the acquisition of Brazilian Portuguese (BP), in order to account for the production of V syllables next to CV syllables

  • The ranking shown in (12), Max I/O >> *ComplexNuc, NoCoda, it is capable of accounting for the production of CVV and CVC syllables, selects as the optimal output for a CVVC input the candidate in c, which is not produced by the child at this stage of acquisition

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Summary

Introduction

Since Local Conjunction was proposed by Smolensky (1995, 1997), it has been basically used to analyze phonological aspects of the adult grammar. According to McCarthy (2002), local conjunction is a powerful mechanism. We need restrictions on conjunction as well as a better understanding of its function. In this paper I deal with the use of conjoined constraints in phonological acquisition, arguing that these are “potential constraints”, activated by the child in the process of learning his language. A proposal is made for the constraint hierarchies that play a role in syllable acquisition by Brazilian Portuguese children, following Bonilha (2000). The mechanism of conjoined constraints will be discussed and it will be argued that the way in which Local Conjunction functions in child language contains a suggestion about the way it may be properly restricted

Constraint hierarchies and syllable acquisition
Acquisition stage I
Acquisition stage II
Acquisition stage III
Acquisition stage IV
Alternative analyses
The use of Local Conjunction: implications for phonological acquisition
Findings
Conclusion
Full Text
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