Title:
Ranking paradox in consonant voicing in Japanese

Authors:
Haruka Fukazawa                      Mafuyu Kitahara
Kyushu Institute of Technology       Yamaguchi University


Abstract: 
In this paper, we examine the constraint ranking regarding consonant
voicing in Japanese. Ito and Mester's series of work on
phonological lexicon in OT framework have established the multiple
lexical strata/sub-lexica, the core-periphery structure, and the
constraint-based implementation of such structure. We examine the
partial ranking relevant for consonant voicing in their system against
new data brought up by Tateishi (2001). The data show recent loanwords
with English plural forms show a pattern of assimilation to
Japanese-native phonology, which may cause apparent ranking paradoxes.

Through the analysis, our goal is to show the following theoretical
claims. First, building on Fukazawa, Kitahara, and Ota (2002), we
argue that any etymologically-motivated sub-lexica should not exist in
the phonological grammar of Japanese.  We introduce a system of
sub-lexicalization which is based solely on grammatical/morphological
information.  

Second, fully relativized faithfulness constraints, such as Ident,
Max, and Uniformity provide a solution to ranking paradoxes without
invoking any etymologically labelled sub-lexica.

Third, the domain specification of markedness constraints can be
removed. As we have already argued in Fukazawa and Kitahara (2001),
featural fusion is a viable repair strategy for the OCP violation.
Considering such a candidate, the domain specification of the OCP no
longer helps selecting the correct output.  Moreover, the domain of
markedness constraints should be removed as it may lead to an
undesirable relativization of markedness constraints.