摘 要

“优选论”是90年代由McCarthy amp; prince 和Prince amp; Smolensk提出的新型音系学理论。它认为语言是彼此相互冲突的力量交互作用形成的系统，其核心是制约条件，即所有语言输出都必须为最优项，最大程度满足表层语言形成的制约条件等级体系，最小程度违反这一制约体系。

本文将对借助优选论对粤英两种语言在相互借词过程中发生的语音转换现象展开相关讨论。通过一系列的分析，得出相关结论：源语言英语在制约条件的约束下转换为粤语用语时，增音、缩音和词形变化是借词呈现的三大主要类型。这三种借词类型视场合和情况的不同也大不相同。增音主要运用于双音节词中，缩音则运用于非双音节词中，词形变化则发生在特殊的字段组中。通过分析研究发现借词是各大制约条件相互冲突作用下的结果。此外，本文将会竭能为语言学提供一个新的视角，激发人们对英语学习的兴趣。

关键词：优选论，粤语，英文借词，制约条件

Contents

Acknowledgments………………………………………………………………………………… i

Abstract (English)…………………………………………………………………………………..ii

Abstract (Chinese)…………………………………………………………..……………… …….iii

Chapter 1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................1

1.1 Research Background………………………………………..............................................1

1.2 Significance of the Study………………………………………………………………….2

1.3 Organization of the Thesis…………………………...........................................................3

Chapter 2 Demonstration …………………………………………………………………………..4

2.1 Literature Review …………………………………………………………………….. 4.

2.1.1 Studies at Home ..4.

2.1. 2 Studies Abroad .5.

2.1.3 Summary.......................................................................................................................6

2.2 Theoretical Foundation……………………………………………………………………..6

2.2.1 Definition of Optimality Theory……………………………………………………...6

2.2.3 Optimality…………………………………………………………………………….8

2.2.2 Constraint……………………………………………………………………………..7

2.3 Optimality of English Loan Words…………………………………………………………9

2.3.1 Epenthesis………………………………………………………………………...…10

2.3.2 Deletion……………………………………………………………………………...11

2.3.3 Feature Change…………………………………………………………....................11

2.4 Constrain Mechanisms of English Loan Words…………………………...………………12

Chapter 3 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………….15

3.1 Major Findings .15

3.2 Implications 15

3.3 Limitations and Suggestions 16

Bibliography 17

An Analysis on Classic English Loanwords in Cantonese under the Framework of Optimality Theory

Chapter 1 Introduction

In social activities, sometimes we need to borrow words from other languages, especially in cultural communication and business trade. These words are called loan words. In the development of history, the communication between English and Cantonese is very frequent. Cantonese is one of the Chinese dialects. It is not only the common language but also one of the official languages in Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao. Besides, the influence of English on the Cantonese has a long history. In the 18^th and 19^th century, Hong Kong was colonized by the Great Britain which made a great influence on Hong Kong’s culture as well as language. Further more, Guangdong province is one of the earliest provinces to migrate overseas, which makes Cantonese more familiar than Mandarins to the English speakers. Commercial trade also first appeared in Guangdong province. In these activities, the interaction of the two languages becomes necessary. Language as a carrier of culture is definitely influenced by the local culture. Due to the co-existence of English and Cantonese, the frequent switch between them has become inevitable. Therefore, the English loan words in Cantonese appeared.

1.1 Research Background