The origin of OT constraints

•I discuss the question whether particular phonological units are innate or acquired.•I show that both markedness and faithfulness constraints can be acquired.•I integrate generative and usage-based approaches to language.

In this paper I argue that the two main families of phonological constraints in Optimality Theory, markedness and faithfulness constraints can be derived from more basic cognitive principles operative in language acquisition and lexical storage. In such an approach, the role of the concepts of performance and competence are integrated: the second is derived from the former, representing a step on the way to a truly non-derivational theory of grammar based on language use.