A Comparative Analysis of Phonological Processes in Isfahani Accent with Persian in the framework of Optimality Theory

This study aims to investigate and compare some frequent phonological processes in Isfahani accent with that of standard Persian in the framework of optimality theory. The methodological approach of the study is descriptive-analytical and the data collection was done through field study method. To do this, the conversation of Isfahani-native speakers, aged between 30 and 50, has been recorded for ten hours and then the data have been transcribed and classified. Through the analysis of the data in the framework of optimality theory, the top-ranked constraints in the hierarchy of constraints responsible for optimal candidates in Isfahani accent have been determined. Among the most significant phonological processes in this accent are devocalization, vowel harmony, and consonant and vowel dissimilation. The data analysis showed that the optimal candidates in Isfahani accent differ from that of standard Persian and in most cases, markedness constraints are responsible for optimal candidates in Isfahani. While in standard Persian, faithfulness constrains are top-ranked in the hierarchy of constraints.