Optimality Theory In Persian

Optimality Theory:
Optimality Theory relies on a conceptually simple but surprisingly rich notion of constraint interaction whereby the satisfaction of one constraint can be designated to take absolute priority over the satisfaction of another. The means that a grammar uses to resolve conflicts is to rank constraints in a strict dominance hierarchy. Each constraint has absolute priority over all the constraints lower in the hierarchy (Prince & Smolensky, 1993: 2).
“We argue that certain grammatical processes can only be properly understood as selecting the optimal output from among a set of possibilities, where the notion optimal is defined in terms of the constraints bearing on the grammatical domain at issue” (ibid: 11).
In optimality theory,

Besides, Persian is so sensitive to the constraint of SONSEQ that suggests that the hierarchy of sonority should be observed in Persian syllables. The word [gests] has violated this rule. DEP-IO says that in order to maintain the underlying form, try not to insert any segment, and as a universal constraint, syllable without codas are more unmarked. So syllables tend to be open rather than closed. The optimal candidate is [ges.tez] for Persian speakers since it has violated the low-ranked constraints. Although it has violated DEP-IP and NO-CODA, it is considered optimal because the violations are not fatal [The symbol *! illustrates a fatal violation] (Zohre vandi, 2005:

(ii) Grammatical constraints are ordered according to their respective weight (not equally ranked). (iii) Different rankings of constraints are responsible for differences between individual grammars or languages. (What was formerly conceived as grammatical parameters is now reconstructed as constraints being differently ranked.) (iv) A construction is grammatical (not only by virtue of its own properties, or by virtue of its generative history, but rather) if it wins the competition in a candidate set, because it satisfies best the higher-ranked constraints” ( Wunderlich, 2004: