The Sound Pattern of English: Difference between revisions
imported>John Stephenson (phonological units are not really based on speech sounds; rather, aspects of articulation (e.g. "coronality" isn't a sound)) |
imported>John Stephenson (rewrite of features/natural classes to exemplify) |
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*'''<u>Publisher’s description:</u>''' "Since this classic work in phonology was published in 1968, there has been no other book that gives as broad a view of the subject, combining generally applicable theoretical contributions with analysis of the details of a single language. The theoretical issues raised in ''The Sound Pattern of English'' continue to be critical to current phonology, and in many instances the solutions proposed by Chomsky and Halle have yet to be improved upon."</ref> (often known as 'SPE'), by [[Noam Chomsky]] and [[Morris Halle]] (1968), is the most significant work to date in [[generative phonology]], the theory of [[generative linguistics]] as applied to [[phonology]], the study of abstract units - based on aspects of [[articulatory phonetics|articulatory movements]] - used to represent [[language (linguistics)|language]]. The book focuses on the phonology of [[English language|English]], showing how rules of phonology apply to underlying sequences of phonological units, leading to the [[phonetics|phonetic]] forms uttered in [[human]] [[speech]]. Most subsequent phonological work in [[linguistics]], especially in generativism, is defined relative to SPE, with most newer theories of [[generative phonology]] accepting the spirit of Chomsky and Halle's analysis if not the details. | *'''<u>Publisher’s description:</u>''' "Since this classic work in phonology was published in 1968, there has been no other book that gives as broad a view of the subject, combining generally applicable theoretical contributions with analysis of the details of a single language. The theoretical issues raised in ''The Sound Pattern of English'' continue to be critical to current phonology, and in many instances the solutions proposed by Chomsky and Halle have yet to be improved upon."</ref> (often known as 'SPE'), by [[Noam Chomsky]] and [[Morris Halle]] (1968), is the most significant work to date in [[generative phonology]], the theory of [[generative linguistics]] as applied to [[phonology]], the study of abstract units - based on aspects of [[articulatory phonetics|articulatory movements]] - used to represent [[language (linguistics)|language]]. The book focuses on the phonology of [[English language|English]], showing how rules of phonology apply to underlying sequences of phonological units, leading to the [[phonetics|phonetic]] forms uttered in [[human]] [[speech]]. Most subsequent phonological work in [[linguistics]], especially in generativism, is defined relative to SPE, with most newer theories of [[generative phonology]] accepting the spirit of Chomsky and Halle's analysis if not the details. | ||
Chomsky and Halle's work rejected the concept of the [[phoneme]] as a true unit of linguistic analysis; rather, abstract [[phonological features]] underlie what appears to be e.g. /t/ - the symbol in slanted brackets now merely a transcription convention. /t/ would actually stand for binary +/- features such as ''[-[[voicing (linguistics)|voice]]]'' and ''[+[[coronality|coronal]]]'' | Chomsky and Halle's work rejected the concept of the [[phoneme]] as a true unit of linguistic analysis; rather, abstract [[phonological features]] underlie what appears to be e.g. /t/ - the symbol in slanted brackets now merely a transcription convention. /t/ would actually stand for binary +/- features such as ''[-[[voicing (linguistics)|voice]]]'' and ''[+[[coronality|coronal]]]''. These features together only roughly approximate to actual phonetic articulations - in these cases, lack of [[vocal folds|vocal fold]] vibration and the [[tongue]] making contact with the [[alveolar ridge]]. Features can be used to describe [[natural class]]es to which various processes may apply, representing patterns of phonological organization. /t/ is one of the units organised into several natural classes, such as a class where all members share ''[+coronal]'': [j l ɹ n t d θ ð s z f v p b]. These units might be expected to share much phonological behavior as a result, such as susceptibility to similar sound changes over time or variant [[pronunciation]]s. | ||
SPE also saw the [[syllable]] as a feature rather than a unit of higher [[prosofdy|prosodic]] analysis. This view of the syllable largely did not survive subsequent research, but Chomsky and Halle's use of features continues, albeit often in highly modified forms. | |||
Halle would continue to work in phonology and [[morphology (linguistics|morphology]], alongside other research interests. For Chomsky, however, this was his last significant work on phonology. His [[linguistics|linguistic]] work would largely focus on [[syntax (linguistics)|syntax]], producing the body of research for which today he is better known. | Halle would continue to work in phonology and [[morphology (linguistics|morphology]], alongside other research interests. For Chomsky, however, this was his last significant work on phonology. His [[linguistics|linguistic]] work would largely focus on [[syntax (linguistics)|syntax]], producing the body of research for which today he is better known. | ||
Revision as of 23:28, 19 February 2009
The Sound Pattern of English[1] (often known as 'SPE'), by Noam Chomsky and Morris Halle (1968), is the most significant work to date in generative phonology, the theory of generative linguistics as applied to phonology, the study of abstract units - based on aspects of articulatory movements - used to represent language. The book focuses on the phonology of English, showing how rules of phonology apply to underlying sequences of phonological units, leading to the phonetic forms uttered in human speech. Most subsequent phonological work in linguistics, especially in generativism, is defined relative to SPE, with most newer theories of generative phonology accepting the spirit of Chomsky and Halle's analysis if not the details.
Chomsky and Halle's work rejected the concept of the phoneme as a true unit of linguistic analysis; rather, abstract phonological features underlie what appears to be e.g. /t/ - the symbol in slanted brackets now merely a transcription convention. /t/ would actually stand for binary +/- features such as [-voice] and [+coronal]. These features together only roughly approximate to actual phonetic articulations - in these cases, lack of vocal fold vibration and the tongue making contact with the alveolar ridge. Features can be used to describe natural classes to which various processes may apply, representing patterns of phonological organization. /t/ is one of the units organised into several natural classes, such as a class where all members share [+coronal]: [j l ɹ n t d θ ð s z f v p b]. These units might be expected to share much phonological behavior as a result, such as susceptibility to similar sound changes over time or variant pronunciations.
SPE also saw the syllable as a feature rather than a unit of higher prosodic analysis. This view of the syllable largely did not survive subsequent research, but Chomsky and Halle's use of features continues, albeit often in highly modified forms.
Halle would continue to work in phonology and morphology, alongside other research interests. For Chomsky, however, this was his last significant work on phonology. His linguistic work would largely focus on syntax, producing the body of research for which today he is better known.
Footnotes
- ↑ Chomsky N, Halle M. (1991) The Sound Pattern of English. MIT Press: Cambridge. ISBN 0-262-53097-X, ISBN 978-0-262-53097-2.
- Publisher’s description: "Since this classic work in phonology was published in 1968, there has been no other book that gives as broad a view of the subject, combining generally applicable theoretical contributions with analysis of the details of a single language. The theoretical issues raised in The Sound Pattern of English continue to be critical to current phonology, and in many instances the solutions proposed by Chomsky and Halle have yet to be improved upon."