The Phonology of Mid Vowels in Germanic Languages

Bibliographic Data

ID21722789
AuthorsAndrew Kostakis (0000-0003-1707-9985, Austin Peay State University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume36
Issue2
Pages112-155
Publication date2024-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Germanic Linguistics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1470-5427 • E-ISSN: 1475-3014
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1470542724000023
OpenAlexW4394888096
LanguageEN
References cited56

In phonological theory there are multiple ways to represent mid vowels. SPE conventions maintain that they are non-[high] and non-[low]. Conversely, frameworks like Element Theory argue that mid vowels are simultaneously [high] and [low]. This article examines eight processes (and groups of processes) within the Germanic language family, which strongly indicate their specification as simultaneously [high] and [low]. That specification is manifest from developments that tease out the [high] and [low] features of a single mid vowel into separate [high] and [low] elements of sound (e.g., [e] > [ja]). It also falls out from changes in which separate [high] and [low] segments coalesce into a single mid vowel (e.g., [au] > [o])

Germanic languages · Linguistics · Optimality theory · Phonology · Vowel · Computer Science · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Linguistics and language evolution · Mathematics · Philosophy · Phonetics and Phonology Research

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