Optimality Theory And Tone Sandhi In Qinshui Dialect

This thesis attempts to give a detailed phonological study of tones in Shanxi Qinshui Dialect (hereafter in short form SQD) based on acoustic data, providing a phonetic experiment on the tones of Shanxi Qinshui Dialect as well as an Optimality Theory (hereafter in short form OT) account for the tone sandhi in the disyllabic sequences in SQD.Firstly, we give a brief introduction to the initials and finals of SQD and review the previous studies on the tones of SQD. Secondly, with the help of PRAAT4.0 and COOLEDIT PRO software, the author analyzes the experimental data on tone sandhi of disyllabic sequences in SQD and then makes a phonological analysis.The pitch value of the four citation tones and their tonal representations are listed as follows:It is intriguing that phonetically T1 and T4 share the same tonal values in our experiment, with only T4 undergoing the alternations when it is preceding some tones.The changes of tones in disyllabic sequences are listed below:(1) In non-reduplicates, it is the first syllable that changes from the citation tone into the sandhi tone and the second syllable never changes its tone. When the first syllable is T1, it never changes. When the first syllable is T2, it changes from 24 to 13 accordingly. When the first syllable is T3, it changes from 54 to 32 accordingly. When the first syllable is T4, it changes from 41 to 43,53 and 54 accordingly. hopes the experimental result obtained from the scientific research and the phonological analysis of this thesis can not only enrich later research on SQD but also provide some data for reference.