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M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 1998 Dissertation Committee: Approv Professor Fernando Martmez-Gil. Adviser Professor Wayne J. Redenbarger A ^sEF Professor Javier Gutiéirez-Rexach Department of Spanish and Portuguese UMI Number: 9900878 UMI Microform 9900878 Copyright 1998, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 © Copyright by Richard E. Morris 1998 ABSTRACT This dissertation is an investigation of phonological variation occurring as a function of stylistic choice in Spanish. The main variable processes include glide formation, vowel coalescence, vowel deletion, nasal and lateral place assimilation, nasal neutralization, continuancy assimilation, obstruent devoicing, voicing assimilation, and aspiration. Optimality Theory (OT) is the theoretical framework. Previous generative work on phonological variation in Spanish and other languages has been couched in discussions of “optional” or “variable" rules. More recently, a principle of “floating" constraints (PCs) has been applied to explain inter-speaker variation. The present study develops the PC theory of variation and applies it systematically to the analysis of stylistic data from several dialects of Spanish. It is argued that stylistic variation in Spanish - and indeed in all languages - is the result of variable dominance relations among ranked universal constraints. The primary advantage of the PC model is its ability to account for all speech processes, variable as well as categorical, within a single framework. Under this model, constraints fall into two broadly-defined constraint families. Ma r k e d n e s s and Pa ITHFUL.n e s s . Data from a variety of Spanish dialects are given to show that when PAITHFULNESS constraints outrankMARKEDNESS constraints, maximally distinctive (careful speech) forms are optimized. When the reverse is true, maximally economical (casual speech) forms are optimized. Porms associated with intermediate speech styles are allowed by the interleaving of PAITHFUL.NESS and MARKEDNESS constraints, and often represent a "compromise” between careful and casual style. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many individuals I would like to thank for their contribution to this finished dissertation. First. I would like to thank the members of my dissertation committee for their support throughout the long process. My adviser Dr. Fernando Martmez-Gil was a valuable critic; he always knew the challenging questions to keep me focused and thinking. Thanks also to Dr. Javier Gutiérrez-Rexach for his input and also for agreeing to serve on my committee on fairly short notice. 1 would like to give special thanks to Dr. Wayne Redenbarger, who taught me almost everything I know about Latin, morphology, and lexical phonology. He always enjoyed a good debate, even if there was no whiteboard handy, and even if we often disagreed. I will truly miss these impromptu discussions. I would like to thank Dr. Christiane Laeufer, whose love for all types of linguistics was infectious and inspired me to persevere while I was a Master’s student in French linguistics, and who has always had time to chat with me about topics of mutual interest. 1 was honored to have her on my candidacy examination committee in 1996. I owe thanks also to Dr. Terrell Morgan, whose vast knowledge of Spanish dialects and dialectology as well as phonology has been a resource for me many times over the past four years. Thanks also for advising me in academic matters at various stages. Thank you Dr. Jan Macian for doing your best to keep me employed - at least partially - as a departmental lecturer while 1 finished this dissertation. These acknowledgments would be incomplete without a special thanks to Dr. Judith Rusciolelli at Middle Tennessee State University, who entrusted me with a job offer while this dissertation was still in progress. My greatest thanks of all go to my parents Robert and Beverly Morris, without whose support - tangible and intangible - this dissertation simply would not have been possible. Ill VITA May 13. 1968 ..........................................Born - Rapid City. South Dakota. USA 1990 ......................................................... B.A. French, German, Cornell College, Iowa 1990- 1992 .............................................Graduate Teaching Associate Department of French and Italian The Ohio State University 199 2 ..........................................................M.A. French linguistics. The Ohio State University 199 3 ......................................................... Instructor of French Columbus State Community College, Ohio 1995, 1996 .............................................. Research Assistant The Ohio State University 1997 ..........................................................Instructor of English as a Second Language Capital University, Ohio 1994 - 1997 ............................................. Graduate Teaching Associate Department of Spanish and Portuguese The Ohio State University PUBLICATIONS Published translations 1. On French-language Tunisian literature, (translation of Tahar Bekri), Research in AfricanLiteraiures 23:2, 177-182, (1992). 2. "Poetic idiom among the Akyé of Côte d’Ivoire: the agnanda-nou, (translation of Agnès Monnet), Research in African Literatures 24:2. 108-116. (1993 ). iv FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Spanish and Portuguese Minor Field: Spanish phonology and morphology, Romance linguistics TABLE OF CONTENTS Page A b stract.............................................................................................................................................. ü Acknowledgments ..........................................................................................................................üi V ita ..................................................................................................................................................... iv Chapters: 1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................I 1.1 Variability in language .............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Speed and style ......................................................................................................... 8 1.2.1 Optional and variable rules ...................................................................... 9 1.2.2 Gestural overlap and gestural reduction............................................ 18 1.2.3 Fast speech and control ..........................................................................20 1.3 The Theoretical framework: Optimality Theory ............................................... 24 1.3.1 Preview of OT constraints.....................................................................25 1.3.2 F aithfulness vs. Ma r k e d n e s s ......................................................26 1.3.3 Colina(1995) .......................................................................................... 28 1.3.4 Partial ranking theories of variation ..................................................... 29 1.3.5 Constraining FCs? Some acquisitional evidence ..............................34 1.3.6 Probabilistic prediction in the FC theory ............................................ 36 1.4 Distinctive feature structure...................................................................................38 1.5 Preliminary conclusions and organization of the study ....................................39 2. FEATURAL, SEGMENTAL, AND MORAIC FAITHFULNESS............................41