Comparing and contrasting Optimality Theory with the Theory of Phonology as Human Behavior

In this article, Optimality Theory is first compared and contrasted with the theory of Phonology as Human Behavior of the Columbia School of linguistics from the point of view of the interaction between the opposing forces of markedness (the human factor) and faithfulness (the communication factor) integral to both theories. The theories are contrasted based on their differing theoretical and methodological (sentence-oriented versus sign-oriented) research paradigms. Despite these basic differences, similarities are found in their shared functional basis which are discussed in the context of the phonotactic functional processes of Natural Phonology with which they are both compared. The theories’ syntactic (grammatical) analyses are then further compared and contrasted based on the alternative ways they analyze the phenomenon of do-support (the auxiliary do) as being either semantically empty or not.