APPLICATION OF OPTIMALITY THEORY TO SYNTACTIC ANALYSIS: A CRITIQUE

Abstract

This paper critically examines the application of Optimality Theory (OT) to syntactic analysis, with focus on its theoretical foundations, empirical studies, and methodological approaches. OT, initially developed in phonology by Prince and Smolensky (1993), extends the concept of constraint interaction to syntax, positing that linguistic structures arise from optimal outputs governed by ranked constraints. The critique evaluates OT's ability to explain syntactic variability, universality, and empirical adequacy across diverse languages. The literature review highlights OT's strengths in modeling syntactic variability and providing unified accounts of linguistic phenomena. However, challenges such as the learnability problem and constraint proliferation are prominent critiques. The review includes empirical evaluations of OT applications in phonological processes, clitic placement, and prosodic-syntactic interactions, showcasing both successful and challenging outcomes. Methodologically, the study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) to analyze three primary studies applying OT to syntactic analysis. Each study is assessed for its theoretical contributions, methodological rigour, and empirical findings, offering a comparative evaluation of OT's applicability across different linguistic contexts. The critical analysis synthesizes findings to provide a balanced assessment of OT's impact on syntactic theory. Despite theoretical advancements, unresolved issues like constraint ranking and empirical adequacy require further investigation. The paper concludes with implications for future research, emphasizing the need for refining OT's framework to enhance its explanatory power and empirical robustness in syntactic analysis.