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Variation and change in Italian phonology

On the mutual dependence of grammar and lexicon in Optimality Theory

Abstract

In this paper I discuss the influence of language acquisition and borrowing on the reorganisation of grammar and lexicon in the development from Latin into Italian. We will have a look at the historical sequencing of the introduction of new phonological processes, velar palatalization, mid vowel breaking, and lateral palatalization, and how they conspire to create new contrasts or reintroduce contrasts that have been subject to neutralisation. The amphichronic analysis proposed here brings together insights from acquisition and loanword phonology in Optimality Theory to explain the historical development.

Abstract

In this paper I discuss the influence of language acquisition and borrowing on the reorganisation of grammar and lexicon in the development from Latin into Italian. We will have a look at the historical sequencing of the introduction of new phonological processes, velar palatalization, mid vowel breaking, and lateral palatalization, and how they conspire to create new contrasts or reintroduce contrasts that have been subject to neutralisation. The amphichronic analysis proposed here brings together insights from acquisition and loanword phonology in Optimality Theory to explain the historical development.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements vii
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Part one: Synchronic variation in phonology and syntax
  6. Germanic and Romance onset clusters – how to account for microvariation 25
  7. The use of gerunds and infinitives in perceptive constructions 53
  8. Adverb and participle agreement 89
  9. Why a bed can be slept in but not under 119
  10. Deriving idiolectal variation 145
  11. On the variable nature of head final effects in German and English 177
  12. Part two: Diachronic variation in phonology and syntax
  13. Variation and change in Italian phonology 205
  14. Which clues for which V2 237
  15. Parameter typology from a diachronic perspective 259
  16. Part three: On the relationship between language variation and language change in bilingual settings
  17. Attrition at the interfaces in bilectal acquisition (Italian/Gallipolino) 295
  18. Little v and cross-linguistic variation 317
  19. On language acquisition and language change 337
  20. Index 371
Theoretical Approaches to Linguistic Variation
This chapter is in the book Theoretical Approaches to Linguistic Variation
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.234.08kra

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements vii
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Part one: Synchronic variation in phonology and syntax
  6. Germanic and Romance onset clusters – how to account for microvariation 25
  7. The use of gerunds and infinitives in perceptive constructions 53
  8. Adverb and participle agreement 89
  9. Why a bed can be slept in but not under 119
  10. Deriving idiolectal variation 145
  11. On the variable nature of head final effects in German and English 177
  12. Part two: Diachronic variation in phonology and syntax
  13. Variation and change in Italian phonology 205
  14. Which clues for which V2 237
  15. Parameter typology from a diachronic perspective 259
  16. Part three: On the relationship between language variation and language change in bilingual settings
  17. Attrition at the interfaces in bilectal acquisition (Italian/Gallipolino) 295
  18. Little v and cross-linguistic variation 317
  19. On language acquisition and language change 337
  20. Index 371
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