Using Dependency Phonology in the Analysis of Disordered Speech

Abstract

In this paper I examine the purpose of phonological analysis of disordered speech, and what types of analysis are best suited to different degrees of disruption to the target forms. I argue that in many cases a model using dependency relations is well motivated. A brief outline of Dependency Phonology (DP) is given, followed by some examples of disordered phonology where DP provides more insightful analyses than other, more traditionally used, approaches.