Abstract
Current linguistic theory presumes languages to be essentially similar because individuals have a genetic inclination to acquire language. Linguists strive to create a model of this abstract universal grammar that captures the core commonalities among different languages while allowing room for all the subtle differences that naturally occur in human speech. This all-encompassing theory of universal grammar would accurately distinguish between possible grammars and impossible grammars. This paper examines the main tenets of the two major generative phonology models of universal grammar: SPE’s Generative Phonology theory representing rule-based, derivational universal grammar models, and Optimality Theory as a representative of constraint-based models of universal grammar.
Article Type
Article
First Page
428
Last Page
437
Publication Date
6-15-2023
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Abdulrazzaq, Ahmed Hamid
(2023)
"Generative Phonology Models of Universal Grammar: Constraint-Based Optimality Theory as Opposed to the Rule-Based SPE Model,"
Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences: Vol. 62:
Iss.
2, Article 21.
DOI: 10.36473/ujhss.v62i2.2069
Available at:
https://alustath.researchcommons.org/journal/vol62/iss2/21
