Theoretical Implications of OCP Effects on Features in Optimality Theory
 





Haruka Fukazawa



University of Maryland, College Park











This dissertation applies Optimality Theory (OT: Prince and Smolensky 
 

1993) to furnish a typological study of the effects of the Obligatory 
 

Contour Principle (OCP) on features. In OT, language-particular 
 

differences are described by different rankings of the universal set of 
 

constraints. Thus, the differences in the OCP effects on features are 
 

totally derived from the distinct ranking in each language.
 





The first goal is to propose that languages are classified into four 
 

types based on the OCP effects on features and the repair strategies, 
 

i.e., the OCP can be violated (Type 1); featural fusion is observed 
 

(Type 2); featural deletion and insertion take place (Type 3); and both 
 

featural and segmental deletions are observed (Type 4). To confirm the 
 

proposed constraint rankings for each type, the data from actual 
 

languages are analyzed. Featural fusion in Ponapean, coronal 
 

dissimilation in Dakota, and featural and segmental deletions in Basque 
 

are analyzed as a Type 2, a Type 3, and a Type 4 languages, respectively.
 





The second goal is to ascertain the status of features as independent 
 

elements of segments on the basis of the typological study. The second 
 

goal leads to the third goal which is to show the necessity to introduce 
 

the independent set of faithfulness constraints specifically for features. 
 

Throughout this dissertation, faithfulness constraints and faithfulness 
 

in grammar are the general themes.







This dissertation also provides support for and extends three new 
 

theoretical aspects in OT: (i) motivation for Local Conjunction and 
 

restrictions on the conjoinability of constraints; (ii) extension of 
 

Sympathy Theory to general opacity; and (iii) multiple input-output 
 

faithfulness relations within a language. The discussion in the analysis 
 

of stop alternation in Yucatec Maya makes it clear that the notions of 
 

Local Conjunction and Sympathy Theory need to be introduced to analyze 
 

the OCP effect on features in this language. The claim of multiple 
 

faithfulness relations accounts for Japanese OCP effects on features, 
 

namely, Rendaku and Lyman's Law which are observed only in a native 
 

vocabulary.