چكيده لاتين :
1-Introduction
The process of hypocoristic truncation refers to a process which includes the
reduction of a proper name to a shortened form. In this process, the initial parts are
mainly retained, and the final ones are truncated. These truncated names are mainly
applied in intimate situations as a nickname or a term of endearment. From the
optimality perspective, the hypocoristic formation is mainly based on the priority of
markedness constraints over faithfulness constraints. In fact, the phonological
identity of input forms and output ones (the constraint of faithfulness) is suppressed
in favor of unmarked syllabic structures (markedness constraints). Although this
phonological process has been under scrutiny in many languages, no research has
been conducted in Kurdish language yet. Therefore, the present study aims at
investigating some data in Kurdish language with reliance on the optimality theory
in order to explain the phonological constraints responsible for making Kurdish
hypocoristic names.
2- Methodology
The methodology of the present paper is based on the optimality theory (Prince &
Smolensky, 1993). The fundamental concepts of this theory include markedness,
faithfulness, constraint, and ranking. According to this theory, the linguistic structure
is influenced by two fundamental competing forces: the markedness force acts in
line with producing different types of unmarked structures; while, the faithfulness
force functions in line with preserving lexical contrast (Kager, 1999; McCarty,
2008). In other words, faithfulness necessitates the congruency of output forms with
the input ones, while markedness imposes a pressure to produce unmarked structures
(Kager, 1999). Constraints have a particular ranking in each language which varies
drastically from one language to another (McCarty, 2008). Violating each constraint
is influenced by its particular ranking in the language (Kager, 1999). The higher the
rank of a constraint is, the more its influence on phonetic environments is (Dekker, Vandekeeuwl, & VandeWejer, 2000). Violating constraints with lower ranks along
with observing and keeping constraints with high ranks result in optimal structures.
In the optimality phonology, the process of making hypocoristic names is also
explained as the domination of markedness constraints over faithfulness ones (Hong,
2006). Markedness constraints exert a pressure to produce the optimal syllables in
the hypocoristic names; nevertheless, Faithfulness constraints tend to make a
congruency between the underlying input and the output of the hypocoristic form
(Nelson, 1998). Due to the domination of markedness constraints, hypocoristic
names prefer to delete a few consonants and vowels in favor of an optimal syllabic
structure. Concerning this perspective, we try to clarify the dynamics of constraints
related to hypocoristic forms in Kurdish language.
3- Discussion and Analysis
When hypocoristic process is applied to proper names, it deletes some clusters and
syllables, and then it adds different endings to them according to the gender. As far
as feminine names are considered, the first consonant, the second vowel, and the
third consonant remain unchanged in the truncation process, but the rest elements
are deleted. Finally, the vowel /e:/ is added to the hypocoristic name which has now
an optimal syllable structure of CV.CV. Regarding masculine names, the first
consonant, the second vowel, and the third consonant are preserved in the truncation
process, and the rest consonants and vowels are deleted. Finally, the suffix /-a/ is
attached to the truncated forms:
1. aminaam [a] ra:beara:b [a]
2. fathoła: făt[a] m(I)ka:il mIk[a]
The hypocoristic formation in Kurdish is highly dependent on the constraints related
to the syllable structure. That is, these truncated names are characterized by optimal
syllables. In the mentioned examples, the faithfulness constraints (PARSE, Fill) are
violated because of the deletion of final consonants and vowels, and also due to
attaching vowels /-a/, /-e/ to the end of names. However, these phonetic
modifications are employed for the sake of forming an unmarked syllabic structure.
As a way of illustration, the markedness constraints of onset, no-coda, no complex
coda, and no complex nucleus are satisfied at the cost of violating the faithfulness
constraints. Therefore, the ranking of constraints are as follows:
3. Onset, No-coda, *Complex coda, *Complex onset >> Parse, Fill
Additionally, the anchor constraint is always applied to the left side of the names.
Regarding this constraint, the left side of the hypocoristic name should always be
matched with the left side of the underlying name. Violating this constraint results
in ungrammaticality. In addition, the last constraint, having priority over all the other
constraints, is as follows:
4. The middle vowel must not be at the nucleus of the first syllable of the
hypocoristic names: *mid vowel
The hierarchy of constraints related to the phonological structure of hypocoristic
names can be illustrated as follows: 5. Onset, *coda,*mid-vowel, nuc,*complex coda, complex onset >> leftanchoring>>right-anchoring, parse, fill
4. Conclusion
By analyzing and investigating different cases of hypocoristic names in Kurdish
from an optimality perspective, the following results were obtained: the hypocoristic
names in this language include a highly optimal syllable structure. This optimal
structure is made possible by the priority of markedness constraints over the
faithfulness ones. The following ranking illustrates the hierarchy of constraints
related to the hypocoristic names:
6. Onset, *coda,*mid-vowel, nuc,*complex coda, complex onset >> leftanchoring>>right-anchoring, pars, fill
