Positional Neutralization - Linguistics - University of California ...

to be restricted in many languages to syllables characterized by a longer sonorous-rhyme
duration. Among these are syllables with long vowels, syllables with short vowels closed
by sonorants, stressed syllables, domain-final syllables, and those located in shorter
words 43 .
3.2.2. Vocalic strength effects in final position
Zhang cites Steriade (1994) as claiming that final syllables can sometimes behave
as strong positions for other contrasts as well. Steriade lists four such cases, in which
either [round] and/or [back] (Hausa, Timugon Murut, and Eastern Cheremis) or [lax] are
preferentially licensed in final syllables 44 . Zhang takes this to mean that final syllables
may be strong positions specifically for vowel contrasts which are difficult to perceive.
Such contrasts profit from realization in positions associated with additional duration,
since, in Steriade’s words, “extra duration means extra exposure to a dubious vowel
quality and thus a better chance to identify it correctly” (Steriade 1994: 20). Of Steriade’s
43
Zhang argues on the basis of this evidence for a “direct” approach to the licensing of tone, his
formalization of Steriade’s Licensing-by-Cue theory. Simply put, what all the positions preferentially
licensing contour tones have in common is additional phonetic duration of the sonorous portions of their
rhymes. If the phonology can refer directly to this phonetic duration, it can characterize contour-tone
licensing in a unified and explanatory fashion that would be impossible with traditional phonological
representations (i.e. through reference to moraicity).
44
Zhang adds to Steriade’s list final syllables acting as strong positions for nasalization and fine degrees of
vowel height, but cites no such examples. The claim is ultimately correct, as will be seen below.
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