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Article published In: Variation in phonology
Edited by Péter Szigetvári
[Linguistic Variation 20:1] 2020
► pp. 84–101

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Special issue article

Conditions on the variable interpretation of |U| in Japanese

 | Tohoku Gakuin University
 | Tohoku Gakuin University
Published online: 21 January 2020
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lv.16012.bac
Abstract
This paper examines the historical and phonological properties of h in Japanese. It shows that, by analysing a specific case of segmental variation, we not only deepen our understanding of the sound which varies but also shed light on some general characteristics of the sound system as a whole. Using an Element Theory approach (Anderson, John M. and Charles Jones. 1974. “Three theses concerning phonological representations”. Journal of Linguistics 101. 1–26. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar; Kaye, Jonathan, Jean Lowenstamm and Jean-Roger Vergnaud. 1985. “The internal structure of phonological representations: a theory of charm and government”. Phonology Yearbook 21. 305–328. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar; Harris, John and Geoff Lindsey. 1995. “The elements of phonological representation”. Frontiers of Phonology: Atoms, Structures, Derivations, ed. by Jacques Durand and Francis Katamba, 34–79. Harlow, Essex: Longman.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar; Scheer, Tobias. 1999. “A theory of consonantal interaction”. Folia Linguistica 321. 201–237.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar; Nasukawa, Kuniya. 2005. A Unified Approach to Nasality and Voicing. Berlin and New York: Mouton de Gruyter. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar; . 2010. Complexity Scales and Licensing in Phonology. Berlin and New York: Mouton de Gruyter. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar; . 2011. An Introduction to Element Theory. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar), the discussion focuses on the distribution of the element |U|, arguing that |U| is naturally weak in Japanese. This helps explain two idiosyncrasies in Japanese phonology – the restricted distribution of labial consonants and rounded vowels, and the patterning of h with labials.
In modern Japanese, labiality is phonologically and phonetically weak. In vowels, u and w are produced without lip rounding, as unrounded [ɯ] and [ɰ]. And in consonants, the labial stop p is banned from certain contexts. These facts point to the inherent weakness of |U| in Japanese, where weakness refers to structural headedness; following Backley, Phillip and Kuniya Nasukawa. 2009. “Representing labials and velars: a single ‘dark’ element”. Phonological Studies 121. 3–10.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar, it is assumed that labials are represented by headed |U| (cf. non-headed |U| in velars). To account for the restricted distribution of labials, it is argued that labiality (headed |U|) is only realised in Japanese if a specific structural condition is met: |U| must co-occur with (i.e. be supported by) another element from the same sub-group of ‘dark’ elements. Thus, the paper exploits the natural division between dark elements {|A|, |U|, |L|} and light elements {|I|, |H|, |Ɂ|}.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Elements
  • 3.Segmental patterns in Japanese
    • 3.1Labiality in Japanese consonants
    • 3.2Rounding in Japanese vowels
  • 4.Dark versus light elements
  • 5.The headedness of |U| in Japanese
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
References (32)
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