On Phonological Representations, Rules, and Opacity.

Abstract A fundamental concept of standard generative phonology stating that related morphemes have unique phonological representations is criticized. It is argued that much more morphologization of so-called phonological rules is needed to explain certain morphophonemic changes and that rules should be restricted to apply where the morphemic alternants stand in an inflectional (paradigmatic) relationship. Three rules in Israeli Hebrew are discussed, and evidence is brought in from both adults' and children's dialects to support the view outlined above. The concept of opacity is examined and arguments against reordering as a means of obtaining grammatical transparency are offered. The empirical basis underlying evaluation criteria of grammars is emphasized.