Phonology: A Cognitive Grammar Introduction

Phonology Cognitive Linguistics in Practice (CLiP) A text book series which aims at introducing students of language and linguistics, and scholars from neighboring disciplines, to established and new fields in language research from a cognitive perspective. The books in the series are written in an attractive, reader-friendly and self-explanatory style. They include assignments and have been tested for classroom use at university level. Executive Editor Günter Radden University of Hamburg Editorial Board René Dirven Ted J.M. Sanders Suzanne Kemmer Soteria Svorou Kee Dong Lee Elżbieta Tabakowska Klaus-Uwe Panther Marjolijn H. Verspoor University of Duisburg-Essen Rice University Yonsei University University of Hamburg University of Utrecht San Jose State University Cracow University University of Groningen Johanna Rubba California Polytechnic State University Volume 3 Phonology. A cognitive grammar introduction by Geoffrey S. Nathan Phonology A cognitive grammar introduction Geoffrey S. Nathan Wayne State University John Benjamins Publishing Company Amsterdam / Philadelphia 4- The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences — Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Nathan, Geoffrey S. Phonology : a cognitive grammar introduction / by Geoffrey S. Nathan.    p.  cm. -- (Cognitive Linguistics in Practice, issn 1388-6231 ; v. 3)   Includes bibliographical references and index.   1.  Grammar, Comparative and general--Phonology. 2.  Cognitive grammar.  I. Title. P217.N38 2008 414--dc22  ISBN 978 90 272 1907 7 (Hb; alk. paper) 978 90 272 1908 4 (Pb; alk. paper) 2008030015 © 2008 – John Benjamins B.V. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. John Benjamins Publishing Company • P.O. Box 36224 • 1020 me Amsterdam • The Netherlands John Benjamins North America • P.O. Box 27519 • Philadelphia PA 19118-0519 • USA Table of contents Preface chapter 1 Introduction to phonology 1.1 Preamble  1 1.2 A short history of phonology  2 1.3 The basic building blocks of phonology  6 chapter 2 A brief overview of phonetics 2.1 Basic classes  11 2.2 Manner of articulation  14 2.3 Points of articulation  14 2.4 Laryngeal and other features  17 2.5 Vowels  18 2.6 Suprasegmentals  21 2.7 Exercises  25 chapter 3 Phonemes: The fundamental category 3.1 Phonemes, allophones and other basic bits  28 3.2 How to find phonemes  30 3.3 Phoneme inventories  33 3.4 Phoneme discovery exercises  40 chapter 4 Syllables, feet, words: Phonological constructions 4.1 Groups of sounds  43 4.2 The internal structure of the syllable  47 4.3 The sonority hierarchy  47 4.4 Between syllables  53 4.5 Feet  54 4.6 The word as a unit  56 4.7 Exercises  58 ix 1 11 27 43 vi Phonology: A Cognitive Grammar Introduction chapter 5 Processes – The forces shaping phonology 5.1 Introduction to processes and features  59 5.2 Major class features  60 5.2.1 Sonorant  60 5.2.2 Consonantal  61 5.2.2.1 Approximant  61 5.3 Manner features  61 5.3.1 Continuant  62 5.3.2 Nasal  62 5.3.3 Strident  62 5.3.4 Lateral  62 5.4 Point of articulation features  63 5.4.1 Labial  63 5.4.2 Coronal  63 5.4.2.1 Distributed  63 5.4.2.2 Anterior  63 5.4.2.3 Strident  64 5.4.3 Dorsal  64 5.4.4 Guttural  64 5.5 Basic vowel features  64 5.6 Translation equivalents  67 5.6.1 Laryngeal features  67 5.6.1.1 Spread glottis  67 5.6.1.2 Constricted glottis  67 5.7 Stres