Earticle

The goal of this paper is to provide analyses of segmental blocking in English within the framework of Agreement-By-Correspondence Theory. Segmental blocking refers to the case where an intervening segment between the target and the trigger blocks the application of phonological processes. The theory of Agreement-By-Correspondence analyzes long-distance assimilation and dissimilation by the interaction of constraints that demand correspondence and agreement among similar segments and at the same time that limit and penalize agreement among corresponding segments. This paper provides analyses of segmental blocking in long-distance liquid dissimilation in English. In particular, root-final /r/-blocking is analyzed by the double dissimilation approach. The cases of stop-blocking are analyzed by the blocking-by-bridging approach.