Element subtraction in Pomeranian and German morphology – The competitive tier
Gertjan Postma
direct link: http://ling.auf.net/lingbuzz/003216
November 2016
Taking new Pomeranian data as a starting point, we propose a competitive vocalic tier on which elements compete for prosodic space, besides the well-known vocalic tier that allows for element conflation. The hypothesis predicts alternations such as the [?i]-[?] and [e]-[?] root alternation (German treten-tritt ‘(he) step(s), Pomeranian gaita-git ‘(he) pour(s)’) (to be compared with Eng. wild-bewilderment). The model allows us to solve two conundrums in German morphology: 1. the “epenthesis conundrum”, i.e. the anti-correlation between OCP-driven schwa epenthesis between root and suffix in German (rett[?]t/*rett versus *rät[?]t/rät) and root alternations in present tense verbs (alternating verbs): retten-er rettet, raten – (er) rät . Secondly, the model allows us to solve the “imperative conundrum” , the correlation between |A|-subtraction in a subset of alternating verbs (geben-gibt ‘give(s)’) and ending-less imperatives in German (gib! ‘give!’). The model makes an observational generalization over root shortening and subtraction of melodic content, although the model is, as yet, not designed for a full implementation.