La rappresentazione delle opposizioni di sonorità

Abstract

This paper deals with aspects of the phonological representation of voicing contrasts, which is a major topic segmental phonology, also because it is closely related to the theory of phonological primitives and of the relationship between phonetics and phonology. Starting from foundational works on segmental features, this paper considers an analysis of voicing contrasts that questions the SPE theory on the relationship between phonology and phonetics. The Element theory approach to voicing, and the specific model known as Laryngeal realism, is then taken into account, and it is shown how, within this framework, different models of elemental inventories may affect in crucial ways the representation of laryngeal contrasts. In the last section, the paper deals with the relationship and the difference between intervocalic voicing, lenition and assimilation by referring to the notions of spontaneous vocing and passive voicing.