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Chapter 18. A lexical theory of schwa-deletion

  • Germen J. de Haan
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Studies in West Frisian Grammar
This chapter is in the book Studies in West Frisian Grammar

Abstract

In this paper we will present an alternative for the analysis of syllabic consonant syllables in West Frisian as proposed by Visser (1997). Visser derives such syllables phonologically from schwa-consonantal sonorant sequences by an unconstrained rule of Schwa-deletion, followed by a process of syllable reconstruction. Our alternative is based on a proposal of van Oostendorp (1995), who suggests that schwa-deletion should be accounted for lexically: cases of schwa-deletion are derived by base-generating schwa-less syllables, followed by schwa-epenthesis. We show that a lexical theory can account for a range of facts involving consonantal sonorant syllables with and without schwa-epenthesis. The results support a lexical theory of schwa-deletion and syllabic consonantal sonorants in Frisian.

Abstract

In this paper we will present an alternative for the analysis of syllabic consonant syllables in West Frisian as proposed by Visser (1997). Visser derives such syllables phonologically from schwa-consonantal sonorant sequences by an unconstrained rule of Schwa-deletion, followed by a process of syllable reconstruction. Our alternative is based on a proposal of van Oostendorp (1995), who suggests that schwa-deletion should be accounted for lexically: cases of schwa-deletion are derived by base-generating schwa-less syllables, followed by schwa-epenthesis. We show that a lexical theory can account for a range of facts involving consonantal sonorant syllables with and without schwa-epenthesis. The results support a lexical theory of schwa-deletion and syllabic consonantal sonorants in Frisian.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Chapter 1. Recent trends in Frisian linguistics 11
  5. Chapter 2. Why Old Frisian is really Middle Frisian 25
  6. Chapter 3. Syntax of Old Frisian 47
  7. Chapter 4. Finiteness and verb fronting 63
  8. Chapter 5. More is going on upstairs than downstairs 99
  9. Chapter 6. The Imperativus-pro-Infinitivo 131
  10. Chapter 7. Two infinitives 153
  11. Chapter 8. The verbal complex 165
  12. Chapter 9. The third construction 199
  13. Chapter 10. Complementizer agreement 215
  14. Chapter 11. Grammatical borrowing and language change 233
  15. Chapter 12. Frisian language changes 251
  16. Chapter 13. Recent changes in the verbal complex of Frisian 265
  17. Chapter 14. Contact-induced changes in Modern West Frisian 275
  18. Chapter 15. On the (in-)stability of Frisian 301
  19. Chapter 16. Nasalization and lengthening 317
  20. Chapter 17. Monophthongs and syllable structure 331
  21. Chapter 18. A lexical theory of schwa-deletion 341
  22. References 357
  23. Acknowledgements 379
  24. Index 381
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.161.18ale

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Chapter 1. Recent trends in Frisian linguistics 11
  5. Chapter 2. Why Old Frisian is really Middle Frisian 25
  6. Chapter 3. Syntax of Old Frisian 47
  7. Chapter 4. Finiteness and verb fronting 63
  8. Chapter 5. More is going on upstairs than downstairs 99
  9. Chapter 6. The Imperativus-pro-Infinitivo 131
  10. Chapter 7. Two infinitives 153
  11. Chapter 8. The verbal complex 165
  12. Chapter 9. The third construction 199
  13. Chapter 10. Complementizer agreement 215
  14. Chapter 11. Grammatical borrowing and language change 233
  15. Chapter 12. Frisian language changes 251
  16. Chapter 13. Recent changes in the verbal complex of Frisian 265
  17. Chapter 14. Contact-induced changes in Modern West Frisian 275
  18. Chapter 15. On the (in-)stability of Frisian 301
  19. Chapter 16. Nasalization and lengthening 317
  20. Chapter 17. Monophthongs and syllable structure 331
  21. Chapter 18. A lexical theory of schwa-deletion 341
  22. References 357
  23. Acknowledgements 379
  24. Index 381
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