2015 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
拡大エレメント理論を用いた分節内構造と韻律構造の相関関係の解明
| Project/Area Number |
15K02611
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| Research Institution | Tohoku Gakuin University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
那須川 訓也 東北学院大学, 文学部, 教授 (80254811)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
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| Keywords | Element Theory / segmental structure / prosodic structure / Japanese / unified melody-prosody / head-dependency |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This research contributes to the development of the Element Theory (ET) model of segmental structure. ET already offers a strong alternative to distinctive feature theories, but it has the potential to explain non-segmental aspects of phonological structure too. This work investigates how ET expresses information about prosodic domains (syllables, feet, words), showing how this development of the ET model can enrich our understanding of phonological representations and processes. By integrating segmental and prosodic information, ET strengthens its ability to represent the structure of word-sized units in all languages.
During the first year of this research project I conducted a thorough survey and evaluation of the ET literature, focusing on variation in the use of head-dependency relations between structural units. This allowed me to initiate an original line of research into how asymmetric relations between elements can be applied to prosodic as well as segmental structure. At the segmental level I have shown how head-dependency can account for the distribution of labial consonants in Japanese, and at the prosodic level I have presented arguments for replacing traditional structural units (e.g. rhyme, syllable, foot) with elements. This marks the first stage in my plan to integrate segmental and prosodic structure into a unified structure. My results have been published at 7 international conferences as chapters in 4 edited volumes of research papers.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
During the first year of this project I have shown a commitment to my original research plan and to the schedule which is set out in my proposal. I have succeeded in covering all the aspects of my research topic that are required in order to take this project smoothly into its second year.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
During the second year of this research I plan to continue my development of an integrated segmental-prosodic structure by implementing a cross-linguistic survey of how different segmental categories are associated with particular prosodic domains. My aim is then to recast this data in terms of the acoustic cues which identify such categories.
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