French Phonology and Morphology revisited

Extract

Sanford Schane’s monograph French Phonology and Morphology, published in 1968, was the first extensive treatment of that subject in a generative framework. Although its merits and faults have been discussed at length in reviews, the scarcety of subsequent contrasting analyses within the same framework would seem to imply that Schane’s study is essentially correct within that framework and/or that the subject matter itself holds no further theoretical interest for generative phonologists. The present paper challenges both of these implications. The discussion focuses on Schane’s formulation of the underlying vocalic system of French. Schane’s assumptions about phonological grammars, his analysis, and his methodology are open to question. Section 1 of this study discusses the concept “rule of grammar” as developed by Schane and considers possible alternatives. Inconsistencies of Schane’s analysis are illustrated in Section 2, while Section 3 demonstrates that the data which should offer the strongest support for Schane’s analysis in fact fail to do so. To the extent that Schane represents current phonological theory and practice, the criticisms voiced here have, of course, a wider application.

The discussion focuses on Schane’s formulation of the underlying vocalic system of French. Schane's assumptions about phonological grammars, his analysis, and his methodology are open to question. Section 1 of this study discusses the concept “rule of grammar” as developed by Schane and considers possible alternatives. Inconsistencies of Schane’s analysis are illustrated in Section 2, while Section 3 demonstrates that the data which should offer the strongest support for Schane’s analysis in fact fail to do so. To the extent that Schane represents current phonological theory and practice, the criticisms voiced here have, of course, a wider application.