Consonant-to-Consonant Assimilation in Damavandi Dialect:The Theory of Feature Geometry

This research is an investigation of the consonant-to-consonant assimilation within the framework of geometry of phonological features (Clements, 1985; McCarthy,1988 and Clements & Hume, 1995) in one of the dialects in Tehran Province known as Damavandi. The theory of feature geometry is concerned with the way different distinguishing features get organized in accordance with phonological rules. The research question is whether we can elucidate the process of consonant-to-consonant assimilation within the framework of the above-mentioned theory. To find an answer, questionnaires were given to dialect users and the data in relevant books and dissertations were gathered; thence, 6oo pieces of data were collected. After proposing the theory and considering an appropriate research method, the data was analyzed. The analysis of each of the assimilations was dealt with via the following process: the frequency among the data was specified, tabular presentation of the sample frequency was provided, one sample was adopted as an example, the two hypotheses were examined to determine the deep structures, the linear form of the confirmed hypothesis was proposed, and lastly the sample non-linear presentation was displayed through phonological features. This study indicates that the consonant-to-consonant assimilation process in Damavandi dialect can be elucidated within the framework of the theory of feature geometry.