Abstract
The Minimalist Program makes two key assumptions about the design of human language. First, computations are derivational and efficient and follow principles of least effort in order to satisfy feature-valuation. Second, minimalist computations are interface-driven, with vowel harmony lying at the interface between lexicon and phonetic realization—two components of human cognition. This chapter explores the implications of a single principle of locality, and its consequences for our understanding of the structural similarities between phonology and syntax within the human language faculty. It also discusses the hypothesis of Crossmodular Structural Parallelism, examines whether assimilation and dissimilation are subroutines of harmony, and looks at languages where vowel harmony is not possible. Finally, the chapter considers areas of potential future collaboration with other branches of linguistics and cognitive science.
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