Actuation problem in sound change

Determine why phonological sound change actuates at some times but not others, resolving the actuation problem in sound change by identifying the causal mechanisms and conditions that trigger the initiation of change.

Background

The paper of sound change investigates how pronunciations evolve over time and across speech communities. While many phonetic and social factors influencing the trajectory and spread of changes have been explored, a fundamental gap remains in explaining why change begins when it does in a particular community or time period.

The authors explicitly flag the actuation problem as an open question, emphasizing the need for explanatory models that account for the timing of change initiation.