The Lexicon - Grammar continuum and attraction effects

Irregular or unproductive morphology and the phenomenon of lexically controlled phonological variation point to a lexicon-grammar continuum which seems more consistent with the gradient properties of connectionist models than with the all-or-nothing properties of traditional approaches. Another class of generalizations pointing in the same direction centers on the notion of representations as attractors, which connectionist models can readily express. Segmental assimilations and neutralizations, conditions requiring maximal distances among phonemes; morphological syncretism, and the patterns known as ‘Non-derived environment blocking’ and ‘Lexical conservatism’ can all be characterized as attraction effects, but do not afford unified solutions to traditional resources.