10. Optimality-theoretic Syntax

Abstract

OT is a general competition-based theory of generative grammar based on a particular theory of constraint interaction and a theory of the economy of constraint violation. It departs from other generative theories of syntax along three main dimensions: (i) well-formedness constraints on linguistic representations are violable, (ii) constraint universality is logically independent of constraint violability, (iii) the representations which constraints operate on (e. g. building blocks, levels of representation, representational vs. derivational architecture) are orthogonal to that of constraint interaction. Therefore, OT defines a class of grammatical theories that are as diverse as other theories unified under other umbrellas, e. g. Principles and Parameters theories, Unification-Based theories. OT theories share the property that it is unnecessary to stipulate special principles of Economy, Relativized Minimality, Last Resort, and the like because these effects follow as inevitable logical consequences of the general competition-based architecture. OT is used to model grammars, including the interaction of various components of the grammar, but also on-line language processing, acquisition of language, diachronic change, etc. In sum, OT is not a theory of representations, but a theory of the interaction of universal principles in any linguistic domain. (This chapter samples the OT literature and is not intended to be exhaustive).

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