Ambisyllabicity versus Foot in English Segmental Phonology

Abstract

There have been controversies in English Phonology that center around the raison d'é e of ambisyllabicity in accounting for English phonological processes. The goal of this thesis is to argue that ambisyllabicity provides a more rigorous account of English phonological phenomena. Specifically, it is shown in this thesis that ambisyllabicity-based approach explains flapping glottalisation, I-velatisation, and palatalisation more accurately than foot-based approach. This thesis claims that the existence of ambisyllabicity is well justified while foot-boundaries are not well defined in foot-based approach. In sum, this thesis reveals that foot-based approach cannot substitute ambisyIIabicity-based approach. The notion of ambisyllabicity is necessary because ambisyllabicity-based approach has the explanatory adequacy. This thesis illustrates how ambisyllabicity is incorporated into Optimality Theory.