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36 The frameworkby all sounds. Thus, since the primes representing place are present invowels, sonorants, and obstruents, it is proposed that complexity shouldcount only place elements (cf. Cyran 2003). As has already been mentioned,the discussion concerning the representation of segments is in aconstant state of flux and no final version has yet been agreed on. Moreover,as mentioned by Cyran (2003:54), the actual representation ofsegments in a given system must follow an in-depth analysis and shouldnot be assumed a priori. However, a detailed analysis of segmental structurewould require another work of comparable size. Therefore, in whatfollows we simply adopt the idea that sonorants play the role of heads inthe consonantal relations.From the discussion above it transpires that Infrasegmental Governmentresembles constituent and interconstituent government of GP inthat the role a segment plays, i.e. either a head or a complement, is decidedon complexity alone. However, complexity is calculated according todifferent principles. Thus, in order to find out which segment acts as thehead within a domain of consonantal interaction, only the elements atthe place level are scanned. A similar solution is put forward in van derTorre (2003), where place of articulation specifications plays a crucialrole in Dutch phonotactics. Given the fact that sonorants are more complexat the place level than obstruents, it follows that the former aretypical governors, while the latter are governees, and hence TR clustersform head-final domains. To sum up, Scheer’s (1999a) version of theElement Theory recognises four place elements both in consonants andin vowels: (I) palatal; (U) velar; (A) low, ATR; (B) labial, rounded. 26 One ofthe consequences of this proposal is that (I) and (U) always share anautosegmental line, even in the vocalic systems possessing front roundedvowels. A word of clarification concerning autosegmental lines is inorder here. In the Element Theory elements are assumed to reside onautosegmental lines. Depending on the system, elements may occupyseparate lines or a single one. The latter is true in the three-vowel systemswhere elements do not combine to form more complex segments,while the former can be observed in richer systems including front roundedvowels which are the result of the combination of two elements, thatis, (I) and (U). However, if roundness and velarity are separate elements,it means that front rounded vowels are represented as a combination of(I) and (B) rather than (I) and (U). Generally speaking, the elements (I)and (U) never combine to form complex segments, hence they are as-26As noted by Scheer (1999a), the element (B) must be assigned a special statussince it defines place in consonants (labial) but contributes only manner to vowels(rounded).

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