:Optimality theory:

Pronunciation GB: ˌɒptɪˈmæləti, GA: ˈɑptɪˈmælət̬i

A phonological theory which views the differences between languages as the result of different rankings of universal constraints on phonological structure.


See Prince A. & Smolensky P. (1993) Optimality theory: constraint interaction in generative grammar. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University.