The role of word boundary in phonological processes

Abstract

In summary, this dissertation began by considering the wide range of different processes applying in both word-initial and word-final position in an attempt to propose some characterization of these processes. It was hypothesized, based on recent work done on syllable-initial and syllable-final position by Hooper (1974), that all word-initial processes are strengthening processes and all word-final processes are weakening processes. Initial and final processes were examined and compared to a hierarchy of segmental strength. It was found that initial segmental processes are generally strengthening processes, but that both strengthening and weakening are found in final position. The final strengthening processes were seen to be neutralizations, and it was found that there are more contrasts and fewer neutralizations in initial position than in final position. It was argued that there are both articulatory and perceptual factors responsible for the types of processes found in each position in the word, and that a simple strength hierarchy does not adequately reflect these factors. Neutralization processes were seen to be consistent with a principle of maximal contrast, and it was argued that neutralization in final position occurs as a means of restoring perceptibility of segmental contrasts, which may have been weakened by articulatory factors.