This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer.The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction.In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion.Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overiaps.Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9' black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library.Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyrightholder. I was fortunate to have joint advisors of LouAnn Gerken & Michael Hammond who have guided and fed me, read numerous drafts, given me invaluable and endless advice, insight and encouragement, and helped me see through to the end. I will sorely miss them. A special thanks to the third member of my committee, Diane Ohala. who fits into every section of these acknowledgements, at both an academic and a personal level, for her perspicacious comments and for making me laugh. Thank you for the tattoo! I have benefited greatly from useftil discussions in the Acquisition Lab and from help in all aspects of conducting experiments. Its members include(d): Allyson Carter, Ahnie Dysinger, Susan Garcia, Janet Gatewood, Rebecca Gomez, Andrea Massar, Jessica Maye, Tanya Noth, Erika Nurmsoo, Asami Nozuki, Diane Ohala, Maryam Sadzadeh. and Rachel Wilson. Other people have been influential in my linguistics enthusiasm and career especially Heather Goad, Diana Archangeli, Dick Demers, Nigel Dutfield, Cecile McKee, Laura Pettito, and Glyne Piggott. And thanks to Weibke Brockhaus, Paul Luce, Ian Maddieson, Janet Pierrehumbert, and Elena Plante for helpful discussions.I'm grateful for the academic support and esprit de corps from my fellow students in linguistics, especially Meg O'Donnell, Feng Wei, Debbie Cole, and the h...