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Competing changes as a cause of residue

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2026

William S-Y. Wang
William S-Y. Wang*
Affiliation:
University of California, Berkeley
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Abstract

Phonological change may be implemented in a manner that is phonetically abrupt but lexically gradual. As the change diffuses across the lexicon, it may not reach all the morphemes to which it is applicable. If there is another change competing for part of the lexicon, residue may result. Several fundamental issues in the theory of phonological change are raised and discussed.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Language , Volume 45 , Issue 1 , March 1969 , pp. 9 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © 1969 by Linguistic Society of America

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