One source of asymmetry in phonology derives from the contrastive function of features. I assume that feature specifications are driven by considerations of contrast. In order to distinguish between contrastive and redundant specifica-tions, it is necessary to specify the relative scope, or ordering, of each feature. This ordering determines a contrastive hierarchy. Different contrastive hier-archies create different asymmetries in inventories, and thus different expecta-tions as to how the system will pattern. I will briefly review the history of the contrastive hierarchy, and illustrate it with respect to synchronic and dia-chronic patterns in the vowel systems of the Manchu languages. 0
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