Alternation (linguistics)


In linguistics, an alternation is the phenomenon of a morpheme exhibiting variation in its phonological realization. Each of the various realizations is called an alternant. The variation may be conditioned by the phonological, morphological, and/or syntactic environment in which the morpheme finds itself.
Alternations provide linguists with data that allow them to determine the allophones and allomorphs of a language's phonemes and morphemes and to develop analyses determining the distribution of those allophones and allomorphs.
The term "sound change" refers to diachronic changes, which occur in a language's sound system. On the other hand, "alternation" refers to changes that happen synchronically and do not change the language's underlying system.

Phonologically conditioned alternation

An example of a phonologically conditioned alternation is the English plural marker commonly spelled s or es. This morpheme is pronounced,, or, depending on the nature of the preceding sound.
  1. If the preceding sound is a sibilant consonant, or an affricate, the plural marker takes the form. Examples:
  2. *mass, plural masses
  3. *fez, plural fezzes
  4. *mesh, plural meshes
  5. *mirage, plural mirages
  6. *church, plural churches
  7. *bridge, plural bridges
  8. Otherwise, if the preceding sound is voiceless, the plural marker takes the likewise voiceless form. Examples:
  9. *mop, plural mops
  10. *mat, plural mats
  11. *pack, plural packs
  12. *cough, plural coughs
  13. *myth, plural myths
  14. Otherwise, the preceding sound is voiced, and the plural marker takes the likewise voiced form.
  15. *dog, plural dogs
  16. *glove, plural gloves
  17. *ram, plural rams
  18. *doll, plural dolls
  19. *toe, plural ''toes''

Alternation related to meaning

Morphologically conditioned alternation

has an example of morphologically conditioned alternation. The feminine form of many adjectives ends in a consonant sound that is missing in the masculine form. In spelling, the feminine ends in a silent e, while the masculine ends in a silent consonant letter:
  • masculine petit, feminine petite
  • masculine grand, feminine grande
  • masculine gros, feminine grosse
  • masculine joyeux, feminine joyeuse
  • masculine franc, feminine franche
  • masculine bon, feminine bonne

Syntactically conditioned alternation

Syntactically conditioned alternations can be found in the Insular [Celtic languages], where words undergo various initial consonant mutations depending on their syntactic position. For example, in Irish, an adjective undergoes lenition after a feminine singular noun:
  • unmutated mór , mutated in bean mhór
In Welsh, a noun undergoes soft mutation when it is the direct object of a finite verb:
  • unmutated beic "bike", mutated in Prynodd y ddynes feic.