Optimality account of the decomposition of fricatives

This paper analyzes various cases of consonantal decomposition in interlanguage mapping within the framework Optimality Theory. During analyses, we argue that preservation (major) place property takes most crucial role segmental mapping. As for Japanese adaptation /f/ which is adapted as <h> (orthographically at least) lacking labiality, posit this fricative /ɸ/ [1] preserving labiality and show inviolability constraint Max-Place. Then compare indirect English /f/, i.e., via Anglo-Japanese /ɸ/, with direct loan Korean. In (old) adaptation, labial decomposed /h/ vowel /u/ (or /w/) (e.g., /ɸɯri:/フリ → /huri/ ‘free’ 후리), while (new) pattern shows /ph/ /p h ɨri/ 프리). Here observe not only Max-Place but also demotion Ident[cont] level adaptation. We thus claim our current analysis supports Stratal OT [2], regarding levels Max-Place, discuss how Russian Yakut Fjodor /syøder/ ‘male name’)