Structure of autosegmental rules The autosegmental formalism departs from the depiction of segments as matrices of features in order to show segments as connected groups of individual features. Segments are depicted through vertical listings of features connected by lines. These sets can also underspecify in order to indicate a class rather than a single segment. Environments can be shown by placing other connected sets of features around that which is the focus of the rule. Feature changes are shown by striking through the lines that connect a feature that is lost to the rest of the segment and drawing dotted lines to features that are gained.
strUcturE Of autoSegMEntal rUles thE auTosegmentaL ForMalIsM dePArTS FRom the dEPiCTion of sEgMEnTs as matricES of FeaturEs in orDeR to sHow SegmeNts aS connected groups of iNDiViduAL fEATUres. seGmenTs ARe dePicted tHrough veRtIcal LiStiNgs of FeatUres cOnNecTed bY Lines. THESE sets Can alSo undErsPecify In ordeR To IndIcate a Class raTher tHAN a singLE seGmEnt. enVIronmeNtS caN be shown bY plACiNg OthER conNEcTEd sEtS of featURes aROunD ThaT which is ThE foCus of the rule. feAtuRe Changes are shown by stRikinG THroUGh tHE linES That conNecT a FEatUrE that is LOst To ThE rEst OF tHe segment and DRAWING dotTEd lines to FeatuReS tHat Are gainEd.