In this chapter we are concerned with alternations in the surface forms of morphemes in different positions. Since there is no overriding polemical orientation of this chapter, I will present the data in fairly conventional generative form, recognising a large number of 'rules' or 'processes' which convert idealised underlying forms into surface forms. I will, however, informally point out alternative ways of identifying and formulating the individual rules and will outline later some ways of reconceptualising them as surface-to-surface transformations.
I do not use a rigid format for writing the rules, and in particular I do not always use feature matrices, preferring simpler formulations like "a → i." However, terms like 'stop', 'semivowel', and 'apicoalveolar' are used frequently when there is a generalisation to be made.
Rules are numbered in order of presentation here, which does not correspond necessarily to order of application in the generative format. The order of presentation here is partly topical. Order of application is discussed at the end of the chapter (§3.52, §3.53).
Readers who are not primarily interested in phonology may wish to skim over this chapter. Some particularly important rules which such readers should become familiar with are P-1, P-18, and P-49. Some very minor alternations are treated in connection with the appropriate morphology section in other chapters. However, the present chapter discusses the great majority of attested alternations.