A long-standing question in phonological theory is whether there are parallels in the behavior and representation of contour tones and contour segments—that is, segments with distinct gestures sequenced in time (e.g., prenasalized consonants, diphthongs; Sagey 1986; et seq.)—and, if they exist, what can be gained from the understanding of these parallels (e.g., Yip 1989). Zhang (2001, 2004), fo...

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1. Introduction A key issue in research on vowel harmony is the role of positional privilege. Vowels in prominent positions are frequently granted a special status in their function as triggers or targets in harmony. Studies of harmony patterns in which linguistically-prominent positions display a unique triggering role have identified positional faithfulness as a source of privilege in strong ...