Persistence and Opacity in Eastern Andalusian Harmony

This paper proposes a novel account of derivationally opaque aspect ATR harmony in Eastern Andalusian. Harmony the language is driven by Positional Licensing: [-ATR] originating on final vowels must spread to stressed vowel. Intervening post-tonic optionally also harmonize, as do pretonic vowels. Typically licensing-driven systems, if unable reach licensor, does not affect non-licensing positions either. Not so Andalusian: high but vowel prevent unstressed from harmonizing normal – can overapply these The analysis, couched serial Harmonic Grammar, develops new mechanism called persistence that accounts for this opacity. Under persistence, once feature satisfies Licensing spreading licensing position, remains satisfied rest derivation, even vacates position. allows thereby permitting too, and then retract off without running afoul Licensing.