Historical applications of phonetically-based OT : a case study of Qidong Xiang

Abstract

 An Optimality Theoretic approach to the phonetic history of the Qidong dialect of Xiang Chinese is attempted. This is done in an attempt to better explain the origin and distribution of the voiced plosives, alveopalatal fricative, postalveolar affricate series, and the central vowels cognate with the Mandarin mid central vowel. A full segmental inventory of Xiang is first provided, as found in the speech of an informant. This is followed by acoustic analysis to establish the nature of the above segments. Through analysis of the evolution of these sounds from Middle Chinese, it is concluded that these segments can best be accounted for through constraints limiting articulatory effort at the expense of certain contrasts.