Lexicon based phonology

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This book examines the properties of mental grammars through diachronic change and synchronic alternations, proposing a lexicon- and usage-based model of phonology and morphology. Central to this model is the lexicon, which contains stored surface-based representations. Morphophonological generalizations are derived from phonetically detailed lexical representations and expressed through schemas, with their strength determined by type frequency (the number of instances observing a given generalization). Additionally, token frequency (the number of instances of a specific item used) influences the strength of mental representations. A thorough analysis of morphophonological patterns and their conditioning factors shows that schemas access morphological, morphosyntactic, and semantic information. Phonetic and psycholinguistic factors also play a role in shaping morphological patterns. The author argues that redundancy-free approaches fall short in addressing the irregularities inherent in linguistic systems, suggesting that grammars are uneconomical and do not meet optimal coding system requirements. The work aims to integrate generative and lexicon/usage-based models of grammar. ISBN 9783862885213 (Hardbound). LINCOM Studies in Phonology 02. 237pp. 2014.