Coronal stop deletion and obligatory contour principle (OCP)

Persian coronal stop deletion is constrained by the preceding segment. In this study we show that Persian coronal stop deletion can be treated as a consequence of obligatory contour principle (OCP). The OCP can be generalized as a universal disfavoring of sequences of like features: *[αF][αF]. Therefore, coronal stop deletion which targets the set of segments /t, d/ defined by the features [-son, -cont, 犊] is favored when the preceding segment shares any of these features. Sibilant fricatives, non- sibilant fricatives and nasals precede coronal stops /t, d/ and it causes the deletion of a final /t, d/. Based on Harukas typological study of OCP effects (1999), we show that implication of OCP on deletion of final coronal stops /t, d/ includes Farsi in the forth type.