Serialism and Opacity in Phonological Theory

Opacity is a natural language phenomenon where phonological process rendered non-surface-true by virtue of its interaction with other processes. Phonologists have long been fascinated opaque generalizations both from typological standpoint (What kinds are found?) and theoretical one (Which formal tools permit an analysis opacity?). This review aims to ( a) discuss the breadth in light phonologists’ (often implicit) working definitions opacity b) address as flashpoint larger debates generative phonology, between rule-based serial approach Chomsky & Halle's Sound Pattern English constraint-based parallel Optimality Theory. A conclusion offered here that well-known problems Theory faces some due not lack serialism but fact such processes input-motivated rather than output-motivated.