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Syllable Contrastive Study between English and Mandarin Within the Framework of Optimality Theory

Author: DuHuiHui
Tutor: ZhangXuHong
School: Harbin Normal University
Course: English Language and Literature
Keywords: OT syllable structure of English and Mandarin contrastive study optimality-theoretic analysis constraints
CLC: H116
Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2011
Downloads: 61
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Abstract


When it comes to the syllable contrastive study between English and Chinese Mandarin, we can carry it out from several perspectives, such as syllable structure, syllable division, tone and intonation as well as phonetic features between the two syllables. However, these contrasts mentioned above are not comprehensive and systematic enough. Optimality Theory, originated from phonology, often shortened as OT, was formulated first by Prince and Smolensky (1993) at the beginning of the 1990s and is warmly welcomed by the linguists around the world. The central idea of this theory is that universal constraints are ranked and violable, which play crucial roles in ruling out the final winning candidate; a surface form is considered to be most harmonic or optimal in the sense that it minimally violates or best satisfies a set of hierarchically ranked constraints with respect to the other potential surface forms. Therefore, the attempt that further syllable contrastive study comprehensively and systematically between English and Mandarin within the framework of Optimality Theory becomes another important issue. In addition, based on the two syllable patterns between English and Mandarin, the thesis’s aim is to show and analyze differences of syllables between the two languages from OT perspective.OT is now the most influential phonological theory in the present world and has been applied in the comprehensive analysis of many languages. How to account for different phonological phenomena in syllable patterns between English and Mandarin from the OT perspective? Is OT applicable in syllable division of the two languages? In what way are the universal constraints ranked for English and Mandarin syllable structures? The analysis conducted in the present thesis attempts to give answers to these questions and makes it quite possible to subtly account for some obscure problems related to syllables. This thesis begins with Chapter one introductions, which comments on the topic, research background and significance of the present thesis, showing what will be dealt with in each of the remaining four chapters:chapter two mainly provides the famous Optimality Theory and relevant constraints needed for the analysis of syllable contrastive study between English and Mandarin in the thesis; chapter three begins with a brief comparison on syllable patterns between the two languages, to a larger extent it paves a good way for following optimality-theoretic analysis; and then it shows the application of OT in the two internal syllables, such as nucleus, onset and coda; of course it also discuss and solve some problems; chapter four first discuss the jurisdiction of certain constitutes in the two syllables and then analyze questions about syllable division in OT; finally, the last is the conclusion of the whole thesis. In this part, I sum up what has been achieved in the discussions made in the previous chapters and what respects are awaiting to be done in the future studies. Through the application to syllable contrastive study, we can summarize the following conclusions:despite various perspective and ways to discuss syllable contrastive study between English and Mandarin, it seems to be more clearer, easier and convincing; in addition, the optimality-theoretic analysis on syllable division between the two syllables also make some problems simple and methodic; furthermore, it shows an essential feature of Optimality Theory, universality, for its application widespread, not just in phonology.This thesis focuses on the application of Optimality Theory, one of crucial theories in phonology nowadays, to syllable contrastive study between English and Mandarin. It not only increases the reputation of OT for explanation in the domain, but also makes us understand differences and similarities between the two syllables more comprehensively and systematically; furthermore, based on our predecessors’findings, it also emphasizes the essence of this theory in grammatical system, which enables the application clearly and accurately to embody syllable contrasts and divisions.

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