Optimalitätstheorie

Optimalitätstheorie is a linguistic theory that explains language acquisition and the structure of human languages by assuming that all languages adhere to a universal set of principles and parameters. Principles are innate, invariant rules that apply to all languages, while parameters are options that can be set differently across languages. This variation in parameter settings accounts for the diversity observed in natural languages.

The theory proposes that children learn a language by acquiring the universal principles and setting the parameters based on the input they receive from their environment. This process is seen as a form of "hypothesis testing" where the child tries to match the linguistic data to the possible parameter settings.

Optimalitätstheorie, in contrast to earlier generative grammar approaches, does not rely on strictly hierarchical structures or rule-based derivations. Instead, it posits that grammatical constraints are violable. These constraints are ranked in a hierarchy, meaning some constraints are more important than others. The optimal output, or the grammatically correct sentence, is the one that violates the lowest-ranked constraints. This concept of constraint ranking allows for a more flexible and nuanced explanation of linguistic phenomena, including exceptions and variation.

The theory has been influential in various subfields of linguistics, including phonology, morphology, and syntax. It provides a framework for understanding why certain linguistic structures are common across languages and how different languages can achieve similar communicative goals through different means. Its focus on universal principles and violable constraints offers a powerful model for explaining linguistic diversity and the underlying cognitive mechanisms of language.