OT and TO – On the status of OT as a theory and a formalism

This article begins by critically examining optimality theory (OT) from the point of view of two (related) science-theoretical criteria: its formalism/notation & its status as a formal theory. This examination is oriented toward usual linguistic standards, rather than the stricter standards of harder sciences (which, possibly, no linguistic theory could yet achieve). The result, namely that OT is not a formal theory, even though it has a quite elaborate formalism, is explicated in science-sociological terms. The further question is posed: if OT is not a formal theory, is it at least a theory of (a part of) linguistics? The answer is that it is not, & that, given the general aims of the linguistic theory, OT should be abandoned in favor of theories which do attempt to achieve these aims. 9 References. Adapted from the source document