The sonority controversy

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Sonority has a complex and debated history in linguistics, often cited as a principle explaining cross-linguistic phonotactic generalizations, particularly regarding syllables. However, some phonologists and phoneticians question the adequacy of formal accounts based on sonority, even doubting its existence. This volume is the first to focus entirely on sonority, presenting diverse perspectives on phonological phenomena from various languages. Contributions come from respected linguists known for their research in leading academic outlets, with each chapter offering new, cutting-edge results reflecting the latest trends in the field. The breadth of topics covered is unmatched, addressing areas such as Optimality Theory, acquisition, computational modeling, acoustic phonetics, typology, syllable structure, speech perception, markedness, connectionism, psycholinguistics, and MRI technology. All these discussions converge on the theme of sonority, emphasizing its role as a unifying phenomenon. The collection showcases a range of opinions on sonority, from enthusiastic support to moderate skepticism, ensuring that there is something for everyone interested in this multifaceted topic.