Dependency Phonology: Construction of the theory and Its Relationship to Other non-Linear Approaches

Abstract

Dependency phonology is a distinctive approach to phonological description where hierarchisation is the main notion within it. In essence it claims that one value can have implications upon the whole parts of the phonological structure. Dependency phonology (DP) is not intended to show relational issues in terms of ‘strong vs weak’ relations rather it is intended to show hierarchy relations in terms of head: dependent or governor: dependent. The analogy of dependency relations which had been introduced by syntax represented the initial and first steps in DP work (cf. Anderson & Jones 1972/1974, Anderson & Ewen 1987, Anderson 1992).Although the whole material of DP work is not large before 1987, several aspects of the theory of the DP are adopted later by leaders of Generative phonology especially in regard to the transformation of GP from linear to non-linear Generative phonology in 1970s and 1980s. Government phonology has similarities with DP, but it differs from DP in making generalization and universal principles and parameters. The feature geometry and dependency phonology also have affinities because both aim at describing a feature in a system that is based on governance. This paper aims at showing that DP is a modern theory of phonological analysis. DP offers several innovations to phonological field whether on segmental or suprasegmental patterns. It traces its applications to specific issues like vocalic feature hierarchisation and gestures within the modern trends represented by many authors like Ewen (1980), van der Hulst (1989, 1995), Anderson (2002), Durand (1990, 1995), Staun (1996). This study will add perspectives to the applications of DP and highlight its relation to the ‘main stream’ GP.