Vol. 35 No. 2 12/2005
Title |
A Diachronic Look into Aberrant Synchronic Sound Patterns |
Author |
Hui-chuan Hsu |
Genre |
Article |
Pages |
435-456 |
Download |
|
Language |
English |
Key words |
secret language, onomatopoeia reduplication, l-separated words |
Abstract |
This paper argues that the concept of 'pure synchronic phonology' which possibly emerges as a result of the over-application of the learnability viewpoint to the study of language can be a myth. Existent phonological patterns which plague a unified synchronic analysis may actually reflect remnants of an earlier phonology. A wide range of dialect materials from three Southern Min secret languages, Chaoyang onomatopoeia reduplication, to Datong l-separated words all reveal the feasibility of tackling aberrant synchronic sound patterns from a diachronic perspective. |
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