The Contribution Of Multi-Representational Models To Sound Variation

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss theories called multi-representational models (usagebased phonology and exemplar models), highlighting the contributions of these theories to the comprehension of sound variation and change. According to multi-representational models, variation is part of a speaker’s knowledge and is represented in his mind alongside with sociointeractional factors. Thus, mental representation is considered multiple, variable and dynamic as language is. We argue that multi-representational models give an important contribution to variation analysis incorporating gradient templates and probability in the organization of linguistic knowledge.