Consonant–vowel interaction in Sichuan Chinese: An element-based analysis

Abstract

This paper focuses on the representation of place of articulation features in consonants and vowels, on the basis of interaction between consonant and vowel place. New data from Sichuan Chinese are examined, which show at least four types of consonant–vowel interaction: labial attraction, two types of coronal attraction and velar attraction. Since consonants and vowels show patterns of interaction at all places of articulation, we argue that consonant and vowel place should be described using the same representational elements. We propose that the relevant generalizations reflect the historical development (not synchronic alternation), and show that an account using standard Dependency Phonology unary features can capture these facts.