Exploring Sound Change and Variability: Accumulation of Errors

This assignment explores the concept of sound change, focusing on the accumulation of errors and the actuation problem. It begins by defining accumulation of error and its role in language, referencing the gradual accommodation of language to speakers' and hearers' needs. The analysis then addresses the variability in pronunciation as a partial solution to the actuation problem, specifically discussing s-retraction in American English. The student's responses to the provided questions delve into the nuances of sound change, including the potential for coarticulation accumulation and the challenges in predicting when sound changes occur. The assignment also critiques the applicability of exemplar theory in light of the observed variability. Finally, it concludes with a question exploring precursor stages in sound change and determinants of phonological processes.

Surname 1
Student’s Name
Instructor’s Name
Class Title
Date
Accumulation of Errors
Question 1
Accumulation of error usually occurs in speech and has been adopted by several researchers. It is
the form of language that involves using error including the very small changes in languages that
could be regarded teleogical or functional. In other words, it is the process where sound change
undergoes gradual language accommodation to the needs of the hearers and the speakers (Szakay
et al. 100). It is not a sufficient account of sound change because it makes it difficult to have
clear utterances, sounds and/ or combination of sounds (Baker et al. 349).
Question 2
The variability proposes a partial solution. It does not give a complete solution but a partial one.
Therefore, the S-retraction would enable /s/ to be actualized as an [ʃ]-like sound, particularly
when it takes place in an /stɹ/ cluster (Baker et al. 352).
They argue that there are two instances: one, if the sound change is conceived as an
coarticulation accumulation. Two, when the articulation is spread widely. Also, they argue that
problem in actuation greatly concerns the initiation of changes in sounds. They not that it is

Surname 2
difficult for a theory to include a change mechanism that fails to predict instances where change
occurs, and failing to forecast instances where changes does not occur (Baker et al. 352).
Question 3
No. This is because Baker et al believe change of sound could be actuated if there is difference
variability in pronunciation of specific segments of individual groups (Baker et al. 351). On the
contrary, exemplar theory has it that dialects and languages have a high probability of differing
for similar phonological contrasts sets. This brings inconsistency.
Question 4
Is there a purely precursor stage? For instance, a situation where /xrøtlI/ has a lowered vowel.
What are the principle determinants of sound changed regarding actuation of phonological
processes?

Surname 3
Work cited
Baker, Adam, Diana Archangeli, and Jeff Mielke. "Variability in American English s-retraction
suggests a solution to the actuation problem." Language variation and change 23.3
(2011): 347-374.
Szakay, Anita, Molly Babel, and Jeanette King. "Social categories are shared across bilinguals׳
lexicons." Journal of Phonetics 59 (2016): 92-109.