The contrastive hierarchy in phonology 2009 Dresher.pdf - CUNY ...

algorithm that assigns feature values in contrastive fashion, but rather as an
algorithm that designates which values are contrastive. In such a theory, all
possible feature values are always present, but some of them are designated as
being contrastive. In this kind of theory, the specifications in (2.5) can be viewed
as shorthand for the more complete listing in (2.32); specifications designated C
are contrastive.
(2.32) All specifications, [nasal] > [voiced], C = contrastive
p b m
[voiced] – C + C +
[nasal] – C – C + C
We can take a similar approach to markedness; rather than assume that only
marked values are specified, as is the case with privative features, we can
designate which values of each feature are marked, as in (2.33). In such a theory,
the phonology has the option of targeting all features, or contrastive features, or
marked features; this is the approach of Calabrese (2005) and Nevins (2004),
discussed further in §8.6.
(2.33) All specifications, [nasal] > [voiced], ], C = contrastive, M = marked
p b m
[voiced] – C + C,M + M
[nasal] – C – C + C,M
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