Rhotics and the derhoticization of English
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Sylvain Navarro
Abstract
This chapter discusses some theoretical questions relating to rhotics in the languages of the world and particularly in English. I give a phonetic overview of this heterogeneous set of sounds and shows that in spite of a cross-linguistically stable phonological behaviour, specialists have failed to identify a phonetic dimension common to all rhotics. I then offer a treatment of /r/ couched in Dependency Phonology and based on the sonority sequencing principle which seems to be at work in the phonotactic distribution of /r/ in European languages. My proposal is put to the test through a reinterpretation of the historical derhoticization of Southern British English.
Abstract
This chapter discusses some theoretical questions relating to rhotics in the languages of the world and particularly in English. I give a phonetic overview of this heterogeneous set of sounds and shows that in spite of a cross-linguistically stable phonological behaviour, specialists have failed to identify a phonetic dimension common to all rhotics. I then offer a treatment of /r/ couched in Dependency Phonology and based on the sonority sequencing principle which seems to be at work in the phonotactic distribution of /r/ in European languages. My proposal is put to the test through a reinterpretation of the historical derhoticization of Southern British English.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction 1
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Part I. Foundations and historiography
- Investigating substance-based grammar 9
- Anderson’s case grammar and the history of localism 113
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Part II. Lexicon, meaning and syntax
- The substance of the lexicon in a Generative Lexicon 201
- Entitatives and Indo-European n-stems 225
- Just for the record 261
- Figurativeness in English grammar 311
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Part III. Phonology
- Rhotics and the derhoticization of English 339
- On grounding, internalism, modularity and grammaticalization in phonology 365
- Degrees of complexity in phonological segments 385
- Language index 431
- Subject index 433
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Foundations and historiography
- Investigating substance-based grammar 9
- Anderson’s case grammar and the history of localism 113
-
Part II. Lexicon, meaning and syntax
- The substance of the lexicon in a Generative Lexicon 201
- Entitatives and Indo-European n-stems 225
- Just for the record 261
- Figurativeness in English grammar 311
-
Part III. Phonology
- Rhotics and the derhoticization of English 339
- On grounding, internalism, modularity and grammaticalization in phonology 365
- Degrees of complexity in phonological segments 385
- Language index 431
- Subject index 433
