Reflections on the Phonological Component in Generative Grammar

Abstract

Throughout generative theory, models of syntactic analysis have advanced, as well as models of phonological, semantic, morphological, and lexical analysis. So, in any study of the syntax-phonology interface, for example, there are at least two problems: (i) which syntactic model to use, and (ii) which phonological model to use. In this work, I present a historical view of the PF mechanism along generativist proposals, whether syntactic (Chomsky, 1981, 1986, 1993) or phonological (Chomsky, 1968; Nespor & Vogel, 1986; Duk-Ho An, 2007). Moreover, I show that, throughout the history of the generative program, the Phonological Component assumed at least three functions: a parametric one, mainly related to phonemics and phonotactics; a more universal one, in the sense of delimiting the rhythm of the sentence based on prosodic constituents present in all languages; and another that is more syntactic, in the sense of being able to operate similarly to syntax. Furthermore, I propose general guidelines for future studies of the syntax-phonology interface in the Phonological Component, suggesting that future studies should delegate phonological universalities to Universal Grammar, to reserve for the Phonological Component only what is parametric in natural languages.