Assimilation of Segments in Modern Standard Arabic: Schane's (1973) Views on Generative Phonology

Abstract

The objective of this work is to elaborate the phonological process of assimilation in controlling the output of phonological segments at the phonetic form in Modern Standard Arabic phonology in view of Schane’s (1973) perspective in generative phonology. The researcher suggests that are two types of assimilation, namely, (i) progressive and (ii) regressive. In each type, there is either a partial or total transfer of features to the adjacent segment so that the assimilated segments are classified into natural classes without influencing the semantic interpretation. The change is regarded partial if a segment changes its place but maintains its manner of articulation. However, the change is total if the same segment loses its manner of articulation whether the place is toughed or not. To get clear results, phonological rules are posited to check (i) which segments change, (ii) how they change and (ii) under what conditions they change. In case of variables, certain notations such as alpha, beta, sigma etc… are used to avoid confusions in results. Though gemination is seen similar to assimilation in the output at the phonetic form, it is a kind of consonant cluster in the base meant to create new lexical items which constitute minimal pairs with non geminated forms.