Substitutionsebene

The term "Substitutionsebene" refers to a concept in linguistics, particularly in the study of language acquisition and language variation. It is a level of linguistic representation that is hypothesized to exist between the mental lexicon and the phonetic form of an utterance. The Substitutionsebene is proposed to be a stage where phonological rules are applied, and certain phonological processes occur, such as assimilation, deletion, or epenthesis.

This concept was introduced by the German linguist Werner Abraham in the 1970s. Abraham suggested that the Substitutionsebene serves as a buffer between the abstract mental representation of a word and its actual pronunciation. It allows for the application of phonological rules that are not part of the underlying representation of the word but are necessary for the production of the surface form.

The Substitutionsebene is particularly relevant in the study of language disorders, such as dyslexia and aphasia, as it provides a framework for understanding how phonological processes can go awry. It also has implications for second language acquisition, as learners must navigate the application of phonological rules specific to their native language and the target language.

In summary, the Substitutionsebene is a theoretical construct in linguistics that represents a level of linguistic representation where phonological rules are applied. It serves as a bridge between the abstract mental representation of a word and its phonetic form, and it has implications for the study of language disorders and second language acquisition.