Selected topics in phonology

The course invites students to unravel the intricate patterns and theoretical

challenges posed by the phonology of Slavic languages. The course

examines both suprasegmental and segmental phenomena that

characterize the rich phonological landscape of the Slavic language family.

By combining theoretical perspectives with empirical data, students will

develop a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of Slavic

phonology and their implications for linguistic theory.

The primary goals of this course are:

 To provide an understanding of segmental and suprasegmental

phonology in selected Slavic languages.

 To explore the theoretical frameworks used to analyze stress,

vowel behavior, assimilation, and palatalization in these

languages.

 To develop the skills necessary to analyze phonological data and

relate it to broader issues in phonological theory.

 To cultivate an appreciation for the diversity and commonalities

within the Slavic languages, as well as their historical and

typological significance.

The course will be divided into two main thematic sections: Segmental

Phonology and Suprasegmental Phonology. The first part of the course

focuses on segmental phenomena, which are essential to understanding

the sound systems of Slavic languages. This section will cover two major

topics:

1. Vocalic processes

One of the most distinctive features of Slavic phonology is the

phenomenon of yer alternations, where vowels appear or disappear

depending on their environment. Topics include: (1) the historical

development of yers and their phonological status in modern Slavic

languages; (2) phonological environments triggering vowel deletion and

retention; (3) theoretical accounts of yer alternations, including rule-based

and constraint-based approaches.

Vowel reduction, or the weakening of unstressed vowels, is another

prominent feature in several Slavic languages. This topic will explore: (1)

the phonetic and phonological characteristics of reduced vowels; (2) cross-

linguistic differences in vowel reduction within the Slavic family; (3) the

implications of vowel reduction for phonological theory.

2. Consonantal processes

Voice assimilation and the neutralization of voicing contrasts in word-final

position are widespread processes in Slavic phonology. Topics include: (1)

the mechanics and phonological conditioning of voice assimilation; (2)

cross-linguistic variation in final devoicing across Slavic languages.

Palatalization, the process by which consonants acquire a palatal or

palatalized articulation, is another hallmark of Slavic phonology. This topic

will cover: (1) the synchronic and diachronic aspects of palatalization; (2)

different types of palatalization; (3) the role of palatalization in the evolution

of Slavic phonological systems and its theoretical implications.

Suprasegmental Phonology

In the second part of the course, we will delve into stress systems across

selected Slavic languages, analyzing their typological diversity and

phonological behavior. Stress, as a suprasegmental feature, plays a central

role in the phonological systems of Slavic languages, influencing word

structure, morphology, and syntax. The focus will be on three types of

stress systems: (1) Lexical Stress Systems (e.g., Belarus, Russian),

characterized by unpredictable and movable stress patterns; (2)

Grammatical Stress Systems (e.g. Polish), where stress placement is

largely predictable and fixed on a particular syllable, typically penultimate;

(3) Hybrid Stress Systems (e.g., Ukrainian), that combine features of lexical

and grammatical stress.

In this part, we will examine how these stress systems challenge and

inform existing theoretical frameworks, highlighting the interplay between

phonology and morphology in Slavic languages.

Methodology and Approach

This course adopts a data-driven and theory-informed approach, drawing

on primary phonological data from Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, and other

Slavic languages. Students will analyze authentic linguistic data, including

audio recordings, and phonological databases, to identify patterns and

formulate generalizations. The course will also engage with a variety of

theoretical frameworks, such as: generative phonology, metrical stress

theory, Optimality Theory, historical and comparative linguistics. Through a

combination of lectures, discussions, and practical exercises, students will

critically assess the adequacy of these frameworks in accounting for Slavic

phonological phenomena.

Gussmann, E. (2007). The Phonology of Polish. Oxford: Oxford

University Press.

 Łukaszewicz, B. & J. Mołczanow (2025) Issues in Metrical

Phonology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 Mołczanow, J. (2022) Interactions of Vowel Quality and Prosody

in East Slavic. Series Advances in Optimality Theory. London and

Oakville: Equinox.

 Rubach, J. (1984). Cyclic and Lexical Phonology: The Structure of

Polish. Foris Publications.

Selected articles

Students will be assessed through a combination of assignments and in-

class participation. Assignments will involve data analysis and application

of theoretical models.