Phonological Analysis of Question Word “ku?” in Persian

The Persian question word [ku] which means “Where is/ are…?” is used for both third person singular and plural nouns. In the standard spoken Persian, upon the addition of the [S] formative it changes to [kuS] and upon the multiple addition of this formative it changes to [kuSeS], each with different applications. With regard to other persons, in addition to the [S] formative, enclitic verbs of “budan” (to be) attach to [ku] and create [kuSam] “Where am I?”, [kuSi] “Where are you[singular]?”, [kuSim] “Where are we?”, [kuSin] “Where are you[plural]?”, and [kuSan] “Where are they?”. This research aimed at identifying the [S] formative and then explaining the phonological processes which create different pronunciations of question word “ku?” derivatives within the framework of optimality theory (Prince and Smolensky, 1993/2004). In so doing, it presents the constraints whose interactions cause these phonological processes. The constraint rankings are completed step by step until it comes up with a single inclusive ranking capable of explaining all different pronunciations of question word “ku?” derivatives.