Optimality Theory - An Introduction

More about the book

Focusing on the development of Optimality Theory, this paper explores its foundational principles established by linguists Alan Prince, Paul Smolensky, and John J. McCarthy. It highlights the model's relevance across various linguistic subfields, particularly phonology, while borrowing concepts from Generative Grammar. The author examines two case studies: Tagalog prefix infixation and German Final Devoicing, demonstrating the theory's utility in analyzing grammatical phenomena. The paper also discusses the advantages and limitations of Optimality Theory in linguistic research.