English vocabulary elements By Keith Denning and William R. Leben (review)

BOOK NOTICES 451 in feature geometry, underspecification, the general organization of the grammar, prosodie and metrical theory, constraint-based approaches such as optimality theory, and the integration of experimental methods from phonetics or acquisition, to name but the most obvious. In such circumstances, it is to be expected that no single collection can be either comprehensive or completely up-to-date. Nonetheless, the nine articles in this volume (which first appeared as contributions to a 1991 conference celebrating the 25th anniversary ofthe Linguistics Department at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) convey a good picture of several key aspects of the state of the discipline and anticipate numerous future directions for research during the early 1990s. After a brief introduction and acknowledgments by the editors, John Goldsmith presents (1-28) a dynamic computational theory of accent systems, showing how such systems reveal, using a 'retro' linear approach to phonology, an interesting typology of quantity-insensitive accentual systems. Next, Morris Halle analyzes in detail (29-60) the Russian declensional system within a distributed morphology framework, arguing more generally that morphological phenomena are bestunderstoodas implying the interaction of principles from a number ofdifferent (i.e. distributed) components ofthe grammar . Subsequently, Bruce Hayes, using data from Cahuilla, Latin, and Yupik, argues (61-80) for the possibility ofvariable weight in CVC syllables, such weight being potentially context-dependent within specific languages. This is followed by Larry Hyman 's investigation (81-112) of cyclic rules against the background ofa number of studies that call cyclic application into question, particularly in segmental rather than suprasegmental contexts. Basing himself on a detailed analysis of CiBemba morphology, Hyman shows how difficult it is to establish cyclicity when other, particularly morphological, alternatives are available. Following Hyman, Michael Kenstowicz exploits (113-32) unbalanced trochees and degenerate feetin contrasting the metrical constituent approaches of Halle/Vergnaud and what he calls the rhythmic theory (à la Hayes or McCarthy and Prince), while on the basis ofXitsonga data, Charles Kisseberth argues (133-66) for the assignment of domain structures to phonological representations (whatever their nature) before the application ofphonological rules. In the following paper (pp. 167-202), David Odden arrives at the intriguing conclusion that Kikongo phonological rules are sensitive both to the feature representations of syntactic nodes and to semantic properties. In the longest contribution (203-92), Donca Steriade examines the complexities ofMazateco and Popolocan syllableonsets in the light of feature geometry and a revised conception ofthe nature ofthe segment. The volume closes with Moira Yrp's (294-31 1) investigation of the type oflanguage-specific evidence needed by language learners in order to posit such notions as mora, syllable, and foot, concluding on the basis ofavariety of Chinese examples that the needs are minimal, given that the theory makes such categories universally available. As might well have been expected, the papers in this collection are substantive, theoretically astute, and rich in data (and indicative of the considerable phonological nuggets still to be mined in the area of Bantu studies). They address such perpetually relevant issues as interfaces, grammatical organization, metrical structure and domains, segment structure, stress, and tone; and constitute, in addition to their intrinsic qualities, a fitting tribute to one of the discipline 's major independent linguistics departments. [Douglas C. Walker, University of Calgary.] English vocabulary elements. By Keith Denning and William R. Leben. New York & Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995. Pp. xx, 255. This book provides a strong practically oriented discussion of the basic units of written English vocabulary 'especially recommended for those interested in preparing for educational aptitude tests and other post-secondary admission tests'; for potential majors in the natural, social, or human sciences where knowledge of the lexicon is important·, or for ESL courses (v). Nonetheless, despite its potentially narrow or pragmatic focus, it supplies in an easily understandable way a wealth of sophisticated information concerning the history and structure of English as well as certainpedagogically relevant aspects of general linguistic theory. After a preface indicating the intended audience for the book and advice concerning practical matters (how best to approach the material, vocabularybuilding techniques, dictionary use, and further study), a detailed table of contents and a pronunciation guide, twelve chapters lead us through the many facets...