<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Feature geometry is a phonological theory which represents distinctive features as a structured hierarchy rather than a matrix or a set . Feature geometry grew out of autosegmental phonology, which emphasizes the autonomous nature of distinctive features and the non-uniform relationships among them . Feature geometry recognizes that some sets of features often pattern together in phonological and phonotactic generalizations, while others rarely interact . Feature geometry thus formally encodes groups of features under nodes in a tree: features that commonly pattern together are said to share a parent node, and operations on this set can be encoded as operation on the parent node . </P> <P> A common node in feature geometries is the Laryngeal node . The Laryngeal node is an organizing node that dominates the features of the larynx, usually taken to be (voice), (constricted glottis), and (spread glottis). It is common for these three features to pattern together in the phonology of the world's language to the exclusion of every other feature, and in feature geometry, this follows from the tree representation . Similarly, feature geometries generally include a Place node that is the dominant node of the place features, which also often pattern together . Feature geometry is easily compatible with theories of underspecification and can represent incomplete segments by missing nodes . </P>

Clements g. n. 1985. the geometry of phonological features