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In:Historical Linguistics 2023: Selected papers from the 26th International Conference on Historical Linguistics,Heidelberg, 4-8 September 2023
Edited by Jadranka Gvozdanović
[Current Issues in Linguistic Theory 371] 2026
► pp. 257–283

Pertinacity in diachrony and synchrony

 | University of Oxford
 | University of Oxford
 | University of Oxford
 | University of Oxford
 | University of Oxford
 | University of Oxford
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
‘Not everything goes’: a familiar phrase, applicable to phonological and morpho-phonological variation, observable both in synchronic systems and in change. Variability occurs on all levels — segmental, metrical as well as tonal. Critical sources of variation range from differences in vocal tract sizes, regular phonological alternation followed by the attrition of phonological contexts of regular rules and of course loans, leading to the maximal modification of reanalysis.
The level of variation as well as change, we will claim, is however, severely constrained. The hypothesis entertained is the following: phonological opacity may lead to varying choices for native speakers, and the resulting choice is governed by existing phonological preferences. Evidence that the native system plays a constraining influence comes from detailed examination of texts and poetry from Germanic languages (Dutch, English, German, Norwegian, Swedish) and Bengali. Phonological nonesuches (segmental, quantity and tonal) could change the statistical preferences but at each stage the phonological grammar has a restrictive effect.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Germanic umlaut
    • 2.1Consequences of umlaut for English and German
    • 2.2What sort of phonological process was umlaut?
  • 3.Bengali vowel raising — consequences for pertinacity in loss
    of trigger, root allomorphy, and new phonological rule
  • 4.Encliticisation & metrical structure — pertinacity
    of native phonology
    • 4.1Metrical structure in Arabic
    • 4.2The role of metrical structure in loan retention and L2 processing
  • Conclusion
  • Author queries
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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