Match Theory: An overview

Abstract

AbstractThis paper introduces Match Theory, an Optimality‐Theoretic approach to the syntax–phonology interface proposed by Selkirk (2011). The theory states that a family of Matchconstraints favor syntax–prosody isomorphism, but that these can be outranked by constraints on prosodic wellformedness and/or information structure, resulting in certain principled mismatches. We compare Match Theory to previous OT approaches involving edge‐alignment, and discuss several outstanding issues for Match Theory such as the proper treatment of asymmetries in syntax–prosody matching.