Strength

强度

A term used in phonology, referring to a universal scale (or scales) of values on which units (segments or classes of segments) can be arrayed, from strong to weak: the behaviour of segments in diachronic or synchronic processes is claimed to be derivable from their rank on the scale. In one approach, for example, velars are assigned a lower rank on this scale (are ‘weaker’) than dentals, which are in turn weaker than labials. The approach aims to determine mechanically, on the basis of a strength scale for segments and for structural positions, the relative probability of any segment occurring in any position, e.g. the hypothesis that strong segments will dominate in strong positions, and weak segments in weak positions.

音系学术语，指一些单位（音段或音段类）排列而成的一个（或多个）普世的音值阶：音段在历时或共时变化中的行为据称可从其在此级阶上的地位推导出来。例如，按一种模型，这个强度阶上软腭音的级低于（“弱于”）齿音，齿音又低于唇音。这种模型试图根据各音段和各结构位置的强度阶来自动确定每个音段出现在任何位置上的概率，例如假设强音段会在强位置起主导作用，弱音段会在弱位置起主导作用。