operator n
(in English) the firstauxiliary verb to occur in a verb phrase, so called
because it is the verb which “operates” as the question-forming word, by
moving to the initial position in the sentence in questions. For example:
a He will be coming.
aux 1 aux 2
(operator)
b She couldn’t have been there.
aux 1 aux 2 aux 3
(operator)
a becomes Willhe be coming?
b becomes Couldn’tshe have been there?
OPI n
an abbreviation fororal proficiency interview
opposition n
the relationship between pairs of elements in a language, such as the
distinctive sounds (phonemes).
For example, the opposition between /k / and /g / in English distinguishes
between the minimal pair cut /kÎt/ and gut /gÎt/.
In general, the term “opposition” is used when two elements differ in only
one feature. So English /k / and /g / are said to be in opposition because they
differ only in that /g / is voiced and /k / is voiceless (see voice^2 ). One is less
likely to speak of the opposition between /k / and /b/ (as in cut /kÎt / and but
/bÎt /), because they differ in several ways involving both place of articu-
lation and voicing.
see markedness
OPREP n
an abbreviation for object of preposition relative clause
optimality theory n
a linguistic theory which considers constraintsrather than rules as central
to grammar. An example of a (universal) constraint is that a nasal (opti-
mally) has the same place as a following consonant. According to optimal-
ity theory, the surface forms of language reflect the resolution of conflicts
between competing constraints. The theory has been applied primarily to
problems in phonology.
optimum age hypothesis n
see critical period hypothesis
operator