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Constraint conflict: the source of an unusual error pattern.
Daniel A Dinnsen1, Ashley W Farris
1Department of Linguistics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. dinnsen@indiana.edu
Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics
|October 24, 2006
Summary
This study analyzes an unusual phonological error pattern in a child, showing how optimality theory can explain these speech sound disorders. The findings offer insights into language acquisition and development.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Phonological error patterns in children can be unusual, posing theoretical and clinical challenges.
- Previous research documented a specific idiosyncratic error pattern in a child (Leonard and Brown, 1984).
Observation:
- A child (age 3;8) exhibited a unique phonological pattern: replacing word-final consonants with /s/ (except labial stops) and inserting /s/ after word-final vowels.
- This pattern presented significant challenges for traditional linguistic analysis.
Findings:
- Optimality theory provides a novel framework for understanding this complex phonological error pattern.
- The proposed account aligns with general principles of phonological development and fully developed language systems.
Implications:
- This research offers a new perspective on analyzing and treating unusual phonological disorders in children.
- Findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interaction between linguistic theory and child language acquisition.
- The study highlights the utility of optimality theory in explaining diverse phonological phenomena.
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