Allomorphy
What are two types of allomorphy?
Regular and Irregular
Consider the following phonological rule in formal notation. what is the translation that best describes the rule?
abscess
∅ → [s] / [b] __ +C[voiceless](root)
[s] is inserted between the prefix final /b/ and a voiceless consonant- initial root.
What is semantics?
The study of meaning
What is a metaphor and a metonymy?
1. Metaphor
based on perceived resemblance in form or function / experiencing or framing one thing in terms of another
2. Metonymy
•based on connection, but not because of resembling connection, often part-whole connection.
What are the reasons for semantic change? Give at least 2 reasons
1.Errors and misinterpretation (reinterpretation)
2.Abbreviation (e.g. CIA)
3.Creative variation
4.A change in thing named
5.Finite word stock
What are the characteristics of predictable (regular) allomorphy? Mention at least 2
•Sound changes motivated by phonetic principles
•A sound may become another sound because of the phonetic environment in which it is pronounced
•We can describe these predictable (regular) sound change patterns by writing phonological rules!
Consider the following phonological rule in formal notation. what is the translation that best describes the rule?
Antagonise
V → ∅ / __+V
The vowel is deleted when it is followed by another vowel initial root.
What is homonymy? Give one example.
•Homonymy refers to the linguistic phenomenon where two or more words have the same form(spelling or pronunciation) but different meanings.
•These words may belong to the same or different parts of speech and may or may not be related in meaning.
Is it a metaphor or a metonymy?
I hope I don’t run out of time.
Metaphor
What is reinterpretation? Give Examples
A word's meaning has been reinterpreted or approached from a different lens.
•bead originally meant ‘prayer’
•> by reinterpretation with the rosary one counted when praying > now it refers to those small piece of (decorative) material pierced for threading on a line.
What is the method to generate/ write allomorphy rules?
1.Look at Data
2.Find patterns based on sound features (Voicing, Place, Manner)
3.Write a rule (or rules) that apply to your specific data
4.Generalize based on natural classes
Which phonological rule explain the allomprhy case?
•reg + -tor → rector [k]
Assimilation
(Partial) Voicing Assimilation Rule 1:
C[voiced stop] → C[voiceless stop] / __+C[voiceless]
What is polysemy? Give one example.
when a morpheme (or word) has multiple meanings that are associated in the speakers’ minds.
-cosm / universe, adorn, order/ cosmic, cosmetic, macrocosm
What is the semantic feature in here?
The mind is a garden: make sure to water it with positive thoughts
Metaphor
Oral/ communicative discourse has resulted in many aspects of semantic shift. Mention two and give examples.
1) Abbreviations
•Shortening of words and phrases
•ASAP < As Soon As Possible (acronym)
•LOL < Laugh Out Loud (acronym / initialism)
•FYI < For Your Information (initialism)
2) Creative variation
•To avoid clichés, maintain lively discourse
•cool, slick, heavy, down, slay
What are some rules to describe regular allomorphy?
1. Assimilation > Sound becomes like its neighbor
•Total Assimilation (Voicing, Place, AND Manner)
•Partial Assimilation
2. Deletion > Sound is deleted
•X → ∅ / Z
3. Insertion (or epenthesis) > Sound is inserted
•∅ → X / Z
Which phonological rule explain the allomprhy case?
ad- + literation → alliteration
[d] → C1 / __+C1
•[d] assimilates totally to the following consonant*
•Total Assimilation of [d]: [d] → C1 / __+C1
What are the two types of homonym? Give one example for each.
Homophones : same sound, different meaning
•right, write
Homographs : same spelling, different meaning
•in- (as in invade) in- (as in inappropriate)
What is the semantic feature in here?
NASA is planning a shuttle launch for next week.
Metonymy
What are the results of semantic change? Mention at least two and give examples
1.Narrowing eg. deer
2.Widening eg vaccine
3.Pejoration or Degeneration eg. silly
4.Melioration or Amelioration eg. pretty
What is the phonological process that happened in the below allomorphy rule?
[n] → m / __ [b], [p], [m]
•n] assimilates partially to the place of articulation of the following consonant
Explain the two types of assimilation
•Partial Assimilation
Sound borrows some of the features from a neighboring sound
•Total Assimilation
Sound borrows all the features from a neighboring sound
What is the difference between polysemy and homonymy?
Polysemy: Historically: one source
Semantic change caused a shift in meaning of a word
Homonymy: Historically: two sources
Sound change results in two words having the same form in Modern English
What is the semantic feature found in here?
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.“ —William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
Metonymy
What is euphemism? Why do we use it? Give one example
•is the process of referring to a concept by a new and/or less straightforward term in order to avoid unpleasant connotation.
Between jobs