Epiphenomenal and true non-iterative vowel harmony

This chapter discusses the (non-)iterativity of vowel harmony patterns, and goes on to explain how to model non-iterativity within Optimality Theory. In rule-based terms, an iterative rule is one whose output feeds further application of the rule, while a non-iterative rule does not feed itself. As noted by Kisseberth, modeling such patterns is a challenge for Optimality Theory. Five types of patterns that apply within a domain strictly smaller than the word are examined. Four of these support the claim of Kaplan that apparent non-iterativity can be derived via other well-motivated patterns in the relevant language. However, data from the Central dialect of Crimean Tatar supports the case that harmony may be truly non-iterative, which suggests that iterativity must be choice in the phonological grammar.