In theoretical linguistics, underspecification is a phenomenon in which certain features are omitted in underlying representations.
Restricted underspecification theory holds that features should only be underspecified if their values are predictable.
In Tuvan, phonemic vowels are specified with the articulatory features of tongue height, backness, and lip rounding.
In the underspecification theory, the dative singular marker -em is characterized by an underspecified gender marking ([-fem]).
[3] This would allow for a single morphological exponent to be referred to by one set of underspecified features.