An alternative to the standard views of phonology is presented, to take into account the critical issues raised in the preceding chapters. Declarative phonology is polysystemic, non-segmental and abstract; it specifically excludes derivation and deletion as valid phonological mechanisms. Phonological structures are underspecified attribute-value matrices which attach to syllable structure at any level (syllable, onset, rhyme, nucleus, coda, or even higher, e.g. foot). Attribute-value matrices can be represented as underspecified tree diagrams. Phonetic implementation is exemplified and...

An alternative to the standard views of phonology is presented, to take into account the critical issues raised in the preceding chapters. Declarative phonology is polysystemic, non-segmental and abstract; it specifically excludes derivation and deletion as valid phonological mechanisms. Phonological structures are underspecified attribute-value matrices which attach to syllable structure at any level (syllable, onset, rhyme, nucleus, coda, or even higher, e.g. foot). Attribute-value matrices can be represented as underspecified tree diagrams. Phonetic implementation is exemplified and examples from Irish, Malay, German and Scots Gaelic are worked through.