Rule 1: Vowel Epenthesis of [ɪ] after sibilant-ending stems
Rule 2: Progressive Voicing Assimilation of the plural affix
Which ONE of the following rule ordering relations apply in the case of regular English pluralization as in ‘horse’ – ‘horses’?
English Pluralization Rule Ordering: Epenthesis vs Assimilation
This solution explains the relationship between two phonological rules applied during English pluralization, specifically using the example of ‘horse’ becoming ‘horses’.
Rule Analysis
- Rule 1: Vowel Epenthesis of [ɪ] after sibilant-ending stems. This rule inserts the vowel [ɪ] after stems that end in sibilant sounds (like /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/). It typically applies before the plural affix.
- Rule 2: Progressive Voicing Assimilation of the plural affix. This rule modifies the voicing of the plural suffix (underlyingly /-z/) based on the voicing of the final sound of the stem. After voiceless sounds, /-z/ becomes /-s/; after voiced sounds, /-z/ remains /-z/.
Applying Rules to ‘horse’ – ‘horses’
The target form is ‘horses’, pronounced as [hɔːrsɪz]. The underlying forms are /hɔːrs/ (stem) and /-z/ (plural affix).
Let's consider the order of application:
- Order: Rule 2 then Rule 1
- Input: /hɔːrs/ + /-z/
- Apply Rule 2 (Voicing Assimilation): The stem /hɔːrs/ ends in the voiceless sibilant /s/. Rule 2 would devoice /-z/ to /-s/. Output: /hɔːrsəs/.
- Apply Rule 1 (Epenthesis): The stem /hɔːrs/ ends in a sibilant. Rule 1 inserts [ɪ] before the plural affix. Output: /hɔːrsɪs/. This does not match the target [hɔːrsɪz]. Therefore, this order is incorrect.
- Order: Rule 1 then Rule 2
- Input: /hɔːrs/ + /-z/
- Apply Rule 1 (Epenthesis): The stem /hɔːrs/ ends in a sibilant. Rule 1 inserts [ɪ] after the sibilant stem, before the plural affix. Output: /hɔːrsɪz/.
- Apply Rule 2 (Voicing Assimilation): The output is /hɔːrsɪz/. The plural affix is /z/. The sound preceding it is the voiced vowel [ɪ]. Rule 2 checks the voicing of the preceding sound; since [ɪ] is voiced, the suffix /z/ remains voiced. Rule 2 makes no change. The final output is /hɔːrsɪz/, which matches the target. This order is correct.
Rule Ordering Relation: Bleeding
Rule ordering relations describe how one rule affects the application or outcome of another rule.
- Bleeding Relation: Rule A bleeds Rule B if Rule A applies and prevents Rule B from applying or from making a change that it would have otherwise made.
In the case of ‘horse’ – ‘horses’:
- Rule 1 (Epenthesis) applies, producing /hɔːrsɪz/.
- If Rule 1 had not applied, Rule 2 (Voicing Assimilation) would have applied to /hɔːrs/ + /-z/. The stem ends in /s/ (voiceless), so Rule 2 would have changed /-z/ to /-s/, resulting in /hɔːrsəs/.
- Because Rule 1 applies and creates a form where the plural affix is preceded by a voiced vowel [ɪ], Rule 2 does not alter the suffix. Rule 1 has effectively prevented Rule 2 from performing its usual devoicing function.
- Therefore, Rule 1 bleeds Rule 2.
Conclusion
The relation between Rule 1 (Vowel Epenthesis) and Rule 2 (Progressive Voicing Assimilation) in the case of ‘horse’ – ‘horses’ is a bleeding relation, where Rule 1 prevents Rule 2 from applying as it otherwise would.
The correct option is B.
Important Questions from Logical Deduction
- The following observation is made about the scores obtained by 100 students in an exam:
'For each student, there exists another student in the class such that their scores are at most ten marks away.'
If the above statement is false, which one of the following statements is necessarily true? Consider a linear arrangement of seven bulbs, each of which can be in the ON or OFF states. The initial configuration of the bulbs is shown in the figure. In every Step, the states of the bulbs are changed based on the following rules:
- Any OFF bulb with exactly one ON neighbor at the end of the previous Step is turned ON.
- Any ON bulb with both neighbors ON at the end of the previous Step is turned OFF.
- The state of any bulb not meeting the conditions above is left unchanged.
The state of bulbs at the end of Step 1 and Step 2 are also shown in the figure.
The number of bulbs which are ON at the end of Step 8 is ______
- Based only on the conversation below, identify the logically correct inference:
“Even if I had known that you were in the hospital, I would not have gone there to see you", Ramya told Josephine. Consider a five-digit number PQRST that has distinct digits P, Q, R, S and T, and satisfies the following conditions:
$P < Q$
$S > P > T$
$R < T$
If integers 1 through 5 are used to construct such a number, the value of P is:Residency is a famous housing complex with many well-established individuals among its residents. A recent survey conducted among the residents of the complex revealed that all of those residents who are well established in their respective fields happen to be academicians. The survey also revealed that most of these academicians are authors of some best-selling books.
Based only on the information provided above, which one of the following statements can be logically inferred with certainty?
