A Theoretical Phonology 0 f Old English Paul McFetridge THESIS SUBMllTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDEGREE OF Doctor of Philosophy in the Department 0 f Linguistics O Paul McFetridge 1989 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY November, 1989 All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author Approval Name: Paul McFetridge Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Linguistics) Title of Thesis: A Theoretical Phonology of Old English Examining Committee: Chairman: Yiyhard DeArmond - - Dr. Thomas Perry Professor Assistant Professor Senior Supervisor Dr. Tai Whan Kim Dr. Nick Cercone Associate Professor Professor Spanish and Latin American Studies School of Computing Science / Dr. William S.-Y. Wang Professor University of California, Berkeley External Examiner Date Approved: PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENSE I hereby grant to Simon Fraser University the right to lend my thesis, project or extended essay (the title of which is shown below) to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. I further agree that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by me or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Title of Thesis/Project/Extended Essay A Theoretical Phonoloqy of Old Enslish Author: (date) Abstract A tenet of Theoretical Phonology is that phonetic alternations are the consequence of the operation of a small set of universal phonological processes. A goal of linguistic research is to define these pro- cesses. A definition consists of a description of the process itself and of the conditions under which the process applies. The phonology of Old English is examined in this light. A definition of a universal process of Apocope is given by considering its application in languages other than Old English. It is demonstrated that the traditional analysis of Apocope in Old English, that it is conditioned by 'syllable weight', contradicts the universal definition. It is proposed instead that Old English Apocope is evidence of an earlier stress system. The reconstructed stress system is independently motivated by portions of Old English phonology. It solves a rule ordering paradox involving Gemination and Breaking. It permits an explanation of dialectal differences involving Vocalization which are inexplicable in other analyses. It is demonstrated further how Old English phonology is related to that of other Germanic languages by small variations in the stress system and rules conditioned by it. I give a universal definition of Gemination, one which shows why Gemination in Old English is appar- ently conditioned by the same environment as Apocope and Syncope. The definition gives an account of why the same elements in both Italian and Old English fail to geminate. The definition is further justified by relating it to Holtzmann's Law in both Germanic and Bantu. Finally, a definition of Syncope is given. This includes a demonstration that Syncope and Apocope are different processes, though they share similar environments. The definition of Syncope together with the account of stress provide a more comprehensive account of the facts of Old English than has been given to date. They give a natural explanation of what have been thought to be exceptions. iii Acknowledgements The intellectual debt which I owe Professor James Foley is apparent throughout this thesis. I would like to also acknowledge the assistance of the members of my supervisory committee, Dr. T.W. Kim for his comments on data and Dr. T. Perry for seeing this work to its defense. I owe a special debt to Professor Nick Cercone, who as friend, colleague and employer has continually encouraged me to complete this study. I thank Ruth who has handled my trials with grace. I am happy that I can finally acknowledge the financial support of Simon Fraser University and that from the Bert Henry Memorial Scholarship which supported me in my early graduate career. Table of Contents Approval ....................................................................................................................... ...ii Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 111 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................... iv 1 . Introduction............................................................................................................... 1 2 . Vowel Elision 1 : Apocope ........................................................................................... 4 2.1 . Introduction................................................................................................ 4 2.2. Arguments for an Alternative Analysis ......................................................... 10 2.2.1. Universality ................................................................................ 10 2.2.2. Comprehensiveness.................................................................. 11 2.2.3. Linguistic Relevance .................................................................. 13 2.2.4. Coherence with other Processes ................................................ 14 2.3. Apocope as a Universal Process ................................................................ 15 2.3.1. Defining Apocope ...................................................................... 17 2.3.2. Portuguese ............................................................................... 19 2.3.3. French ...................................................................................... 21 2.3.4. Romanian .................................................................................. 24 2.4. The Resonancy Gradient ........................................................................... 26 2.5. Old English Apocope ................................................................................ 28 2.5.1 . Stress and Apocope .................................................................. 29 2.5.2. Stress and Old English Apocope ................................................ 30 2.5.3. Parametric Variation.................................................................... 32 2.5.4. Ex Nihilo Nihil Fit ......................................................................... 34 2.5.5. Old Norse Denasalization............................................................ 35 2.6. Observations on Stress from the Traditional Analysis ...................................37 2.7. Conclusion............................................................................................... 38 3 . Old English Gemination, Vocalization and Breaking ....................................................39 3.1. Introduction.............................................................................................. 39 3.2. Gemination ............................................................................................... 39 3.2.1. The Metrical Analysis of Old English Gemination........................... 42 3.2.2. A Boundary Analysis of Gemination ............................................. 45 3.2.3. The Environment for Gemination................................................. 46 3.3. Stress Assignment .................................................................................... 48 3.3.1. Principles of Mora Association .....................................................50 3.3.2. Typological Variation .................................................................. 57 3.3.3. The Resonance Contour ............................................................ 59 3.3.4. Linguistic Change ...................................................................... 59 3.3.5. Gothic Contraction ..................................................................... 60 3.3.6. Latin -y- verbs ............................................................................ 64 3.4. Vocalization .............................................................................................. 66 3.4.1. A Definition of Vocalization .........................................................67 3.4.2. Vocalization of Glides ................................................................. 70 3.4.3. Apocope after Resonants........................................................... 70 3.4.4. Vocalization and Stress .............................................................. 71 3.4.5. Restricted Medial Vocalization..................................................... 73 3.5. Gemination as a Universal Process .............................................................74 3.5.1. Bantu ........................................................................................ 76 3.5.2. Glide Strengthening in Old English .............................................80 3.5.3. Italian Gemination....................................................................... 84 3.5.4. Assimilation and the 'Failure' of Glide Strengthening .....................85 3.5.5. Deiotation .................................................................................. 86 3.5.6. Summary ................................................................................... 88 3.6. Breaking and Rule