| Synopsis: |
"Korean Phonology" introduces the foundations of and fundamental issues in Korean phonology to readers participating in Korean Studies. Ahn deals here with various key topics in Korean phonology, from the basics, such as the Korean writing system, to the application of recent theoretical frameworks - such as the optimality-theoretic interpretation of the historical Korean vowel shifts. The volume delves comprehensively into the basics of the Korean sound system, the consonantal and vowel systems, syllable structure, assimilation, palatalization, tensification, umlaut and vowel merger, deletion and analogy, harmony processes, reduplication, causative/passive allomorphy, tonal aspects in the North Kyungsang area, and historical vowel shifts. In introducing these topics, moreover, various analytical devices have been introduced, starting from traditional Generative Phonology to Lexical Phonology, Underspecification Theory, Feature Geometry, Prosodic Morphology, Autosegmental Phonology to Optimality Theory, and more. This book thus would help the reader understand the basics of the current phonological theories at work. |