Multiple Opacity in Wintu Mid-Vowels

Abstract

OT-CC with Prec, a serial version of OT, is successful in dealing with multiple opacity phenomenon observed in Wintu where mid-vowel raising is underapplied and overapplied as well. In Winu, a mid vowel in a stem tends to be raised before a low vowel and with a single consonant intervened while it is dull in raising when a consonant cluster is placed. Here, the raising rule counterfeeds a rule of consonant cluster simplification. However, in Wintu, not all mid vowels undergo raising though they occur in the same environment, i.e., with a single consonant before a low vowel. Here, the prior application of raising counterbleeds absolute neutralization. Under the regime of OT-CC, multiple Prec is responsible for multiple opacity in Winu, each of which repairs a different type of opacity.