Polish palatalization in derivational optimality theory

Abstract

This article is an analysis of Polish palatalization from the point of view of Optimality Theory (OT). Given the OT assumption that constraints are universal, the analysis is presented against the background of data from several Slavic languages to the extent permitted by the limitation of space. It is argued that standard OT is unable to handle the palatalization facts. OT must, therefore, be modified to include derivational levels. This conclusion is based on two types of evidence: first, internal contradictions in the operation of faithfulness and markedness constraints and, second, different roles that segment inventory constraints play at different depths of derivation. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.