Assimilation as the Residue of AGREE

Abstract

An Optimality Theoretic approach to assimilation is proposed where all assimilation processes result from the interaction of a single syntagmatic markedness constraint that requires sequences of sounds to AGREE in all feature specifications with a variety of faithfulness constraints that seek to IDENT input feature specifications. Assimilation or the lack of it is the residue of AGREE after satisfaction of higher ranked IDENT constraints. AGREE is analyzed as a single gradient constraint rather than a set of categorical constraints each obligating agreement in a specific feature. The study concludes that a gradient interpretation of AGREE is theoretically appropriate since it meets the general principle of economy in the structure of our language faculty and also supports the general move towards convergence rather than divergence in linguistic analysis. The outcomes of the study also prove to be practically appropriate in handling various assimilation processes from different languages.