Lecture 7Lecture 7

Syllable WeightSyllable Weight

English Word StressEnglish Word Stress

The account of English stress presented so The account of English stress presented so far only works for a subset of nouns/suffixed far only works for a subset of nouns/suffixed adjectives and verbs/unsuffixed adjectives.adjectives and verbs/unsuffixed adjectives.

This should not come as a surprise as the This should not come as a surprise as the English stress system is renowned for its English stress system is renowned for its complexity.complexity.

We will continue investigation, focusing on We will continue investigation, focusing on the effect of the effect of syllable structuresyllable structure on stress on stress assignment.assignment.

Basic AlgorithmBasic Algorithm

English stress algorithm:English stress algorithm:a.a. Project syllable heads onto the Project syllable heads onto the baseline.baseline.b.b. Mark the right-most baseline asterisk Mark the right-most baseline asterisk

extrametrical (in nouns and suffixed extrametrical (in nouns and suffixed adjectives only).adjectives only).

c.c. Construct line 1 by building left-Construct line 1 by building left-headed feet headed feet iteratively from right to left.iteratively from right to left.d.d. Construct line 2 by applying End Construct line 2 by applying End Stress Stress [Right] on line 1.[Right] on line 1.

Parameter SettingsParameter Settings

The algorithm suggests the following The algorithm suggests the following parameter settings, parameter settings, crucially assuming that crucially assuming that lexical forms are bare of metrical structurelexical forms are bare of metrical structure::

English stress parameter settings:English stress parameter settings:- Extrametricality:Extrametricality: Yes [right]Yes [right] NounsNouns- Foot head:Foot head: LeftLeft- Foot construction:Foot construction: Right-to-leftRight-to-left- End stress:End stress: RightRight Onto Onto

line 1line 1

Different PatternDifferent Pattern

Consider the forms:Consider the forms:

nounsnouns verbs/unsuffixed adjectivesverbs/unsuffixed adjectives

agagééndanda (to) recomm(to) recommééndnd

incincééntiventive (to) incr(to) incrééasease

OctOctóóberber intintéénsense Stress falls one syllable further to the right Stress falls one syllable further to the right

than is predicted by the algorithm.than is predicted by the algorithm. Why?Why?

Applying the AlgorithmApplying the Algorithm

Incorporating Line Conflation, that Incorporating Line Conflation, that suppresses all feet but the one suppresses all feet but the one bearing main stress, the derivations bearing main stress, the derivations of stress assignment will be as of stress assignment will be as follows:follows:

a g e n d aa g e n d aInputInput r e c o m mendr e c o m mend

ProjectionProjection

* * * * ** * * * * **

a g e n d aa g e n d a r e c o m m e n r e c o m m e n dd

ExtrametricalityExtrametricality

* * * <*>* <*> * * * * **

a g e n d aa g e n d a r e c o m m e n r e c o m m e n dd

FootingFooting

** * * **

(* (* *) <*>*) <*> (*) (* (*) (* *)*)

a g e n d aa g e n d a r e c o m m e n r e c o m m e n dd

End StressEnd Stress

** ** ** * * **(* (* *) <*>*) <*> (*) (* *) (*) (* *) a g e n d aa g e n d a r e c o m m e n r e c o m m e n dd

ConflationConflation

** **(* (* *) <*>*) <*> * (* * (* *)*) a g e n d aa g e n d a r e c o m m e n r e c o m m e n dd

OutputsOutputs

**áá g e n d a g e n d a *r e c *r e c óó m m e n m m e n dd

SolutionsSolutions

A noun like A noun like agendaagenda can be treated as an can be treated as an exception to the extrametricality clause.exception to the extrametricality clause.

-- But, extrametricality does not act upon But, extrametricality does not act upon verbs verbs like like recommendrecommend..

These forms could be assigned These forms could be assigned right-headedright-headed feet, instead of the normal left-headed feet.feet, instead of the normal left-headed feet.

-- However, metrical structure is However, metrical structure is uniformuniform across across the board in each language.the board in each language.

Syllable StructureSyllable Structure

Syllable structure plays a vital part in the Syllable structure plays a vital part in the construction of the metrical grid.construction of the metrical grid.a.a.ggéénn.da.da in.in.crcr[í:][í:]sesein.in.ccéénn.tive.tive re.co.re.co.mmmmééndndOc.Oc.tt[[]]..berber in.in.ttéénn.se.se

The stressed syllables are HEAVY.The stressed syllables are HEAVY.-- long nucleuslong nucleus

OROR-- codacoda

Rime Structure and StressRime Structure and Stressin Englishin English

Rime StructureRime Structure StressStress

NounsNouns

Penultimate lightPenultimate light AntepenultimateAntepenultimate

PenultimatePenultimate heavyheavy PenultimatePenultimate

VerbsVerbs

Final lightFinal light PenultimatePenultimate

FinalFinal heavyheavy FinalFinal

ACCENTACCENT

The connection between the location of stress The connection between the location of stress and the structure of the rime should be encoded and the structure of the rime should be encoded in the grid.in the grid.

Therefore, the baseline asterisks of heavy rimes Therefore, the baseline asterisks of heavy rimes are projected onto line 1.are projected onto line 1.

The word ACCENT is commonly used to refer to The word ACCENT is commonly used to refer to this projection:this projection:

** * * <*> * * <*>* * <*> * * <*>

a . g e n . d a a . g e n . d a a . g e n . d a a . g e n . d a a . g e n . d a a . g e n . d aInputInput Baseline and Baseline and AccentAccent

ExtrametricalityExtrametricality

Faithfulness ConditionFaithfulness Condition

Heads imply constituents and constituents imply Heads imply constituents and constituents imply heads:heads:Faithfulness ConditionFaithfulness ConditionEach grid constituent has a head (plotted in the Each grid constituent has a head (plotted in the line immediately above), and each head has a line immediately above), and each head has a domain (delimited in the line immediately below).domain (delimited in the line immediately below).

** Stress Stress line 1line 1* * <*>* * <*> * * ((**)) <*> <*> BaselineBaselinea . g e n . d aa . g e n . d a a . g e n . d aa . g e n . d a

FaithfulnessFaithfulness

Syllable WeightSyllable Weight

Recognizing syllable weight will also Recognizing syllable weight will also account for the final stress in verbs and account for the final stress in verbs and unsuffixed adjectives:unsuffixed adjectives:

** Stress line 2Stress line 2 ** ** ** Stress line 1Stress line 1(* (* *) *) ((**)) * * (*) * * (*) BaselineBaselinere.co.mmend re.co.mmend re.co.mmend re.co.mmendEnd StressEnd Stress Conflation Conflation

Algorithm - updateAlgorithm - update

English stress algorithm:English stress algorithm:a.a. Project syllable heads onto the baseline.Project syllable heads onto the baseline.b.b. Mark the right-most baseline asterisk Mark the right-most baseline asterisk

extrametrical (in nouns and suffixed extrametrical (in nouns and suffixed adjectives only).adjectives only).

c.c. Accent all heavy syllables.Accent all heavy syllables.d.d. Construct line 1 by building left-headed Construct line 1 by building left-headed feet feet iteratively from right to left.iteratively from right to left.e.e. Construct line 2 by applying End Stress Construct line 2 by applying End Stress

[Right] on line 1.[Right] on line 1.f.f. Delete line 1.Delete line 1.

Unstressed Final HeaviesUnstressed Final Heavies(Verbs)(Verbs)

Consider the following verbs and Consider the following verbs and unsuffixed adjectives:unsuffixed adjectives:

de.vde.véé..loplop im.plim.plíí..citciti.mi.máá..ginegine en.den.déé..micmic

- The final syllables above meet our The final syllables above meet our definition of heavy syllables.definition of heavy syllables.

- Final heavy syllables attract stress in verbs Final heavy syllables attract stress in verbs and unsuffixed adjectives.and unsuffixed adjectives.

Why is the stress penultimate?Why is the stress penultimate?

Word-Final ConsonantsWord-Final Consonants

We shall assume that the final We shall assume that the final consonant in English words lies consonant in English words lies outside the rime.outside the rime.

Therefore:Therefore:

--- --- CVCV-C-C## --- --- CVCCVC-C#-C#

((lightlight)) ( (heavyheavy))

Word-Final ConsonantsWord-Final Consonants

*** * * * * * * (* *) * (* *)i.ma.gi-ne i.ma.gi-ne NANA i.ma.gi-ne i.ma.gi-ne

Accent Footing etc.Accent Footing etc. ** * *

* * ** * * * * * * * * * * (*) * * (*)re.co.mmen-d re.co.mmen-d re.co.mmen-d re.co.mmen-d

re.co.mmen-dre.co.mmen-dAccentAccent Footing Footing

etc.etc.

Stressed Final HeaviesStressed Final Heavies(Nouns)(Nouns)

Consider the following nouns:Consider the following nouns:chimpanzchimpanzééee enginenginééererreferreferééee seventseventééenenmagazmagazíínene millionmillionááireire

These nouns are stressed on the final These nouns are stressed on the final syllable.syllable.

That syllable contains a long vowel.That syllable contains a long vowel. The assumption is:The assumption is:

-- In English, extrametricality is blocked by In English, extrametricality is blocked by long long vowels but not by coda consonants.vowels but not by coda consonants.

Algorithm - updateAlgorithm - update

English stress algorithm:English stress algorithm:a.a. Project syllable heads onto the baseline.Project syllable heads onto the baseline.b.b. Mark the right-most baseline asterisk Mark the right-most baseline asterisk extrametrical (in nouns and suffixed extrametrical (in nouns and suffixed adjectives only) adjectives only) if it dominates a syllable if it dominates a syllable with a simple nucleuswith a simple nucleus..c.c. Accent all heavy syllables.Accent all heavy syllables.d.d. Construct line 1 by building left-headed feet Construct line 1 by building left-headed feet

iteratively from right to left.iteratively from right to left.e.e. Construct line 2 by applying End Stress Construct line 2 by applying End Stress [Right] on line 1.[Right] on line 1.f.f. Delete line 1.Delete line 1.

Unstressed Final Long VowelsUnstressed Final Long Vowels(Nouns)(Nouns)

Consider the following nouns:Consider the following nouns:bbúúffal[ffal[]]mosqumosquíít[t[]]tomtomáát[t[]]MMáálib[u:]lib[u:]

These are nouns with long open final syllables These are nouns with long open final syllables which do not exhibit the expected final stress.which do not exhibit the expected final stress.

The assumption is:The assumption is:-- The vowels are underlyingly short, so they The vowels are underlyingly short, so they induce induce extrametricality. After stress has extrametricality. After stress has been assigned, been assigned, they will undergo lengthening.they will undergo lengthening.

WarningWarning

English stress assignment is English stress assignment is by no means a simple matter.by no means a simple matter.

Formalizing Syllable WeightFormalizing Syllable Weight

Onsets do not contribute to syllable Onsets do not contribute to syllable weight.weight.

Only the rime is relevant to the Only the rime is relevant to the determination of syllable weight.determination of syllable weight.

This, however, does not follow from This, however, does not follow from our present formalism.our present formalism.

The same number of skeletal slots (3) The same number of skeletal slots (3) are associated to the syllables: CCV are associated to the syllables: CCV and CVC.and CVC.

Formalizing Syllable WeightFormalizing Syllable Weight

Syllable weight is a function of the number of Syllable weight is a function of the number of skeletal slots in the skeletal slots in the rimerime::

OO RR OO RR

NN NN CdCd

XX XX XX XX XX XX

CC CC VV CC VV CC11XX = Light = Light 22XX = Heavy = Heavy

MorasMoras

A mora (A mora () is a unit of syllable weight.) is a unit of syllable weight. It is intermediate between the segment and the syllable.It is intermediate between the segment and the syllable. A light syllable is mono-moraic (A light syllable is mono-moraic (), and heavy syllable is bi-), and heavy syllable is bi-

moraic (moraic ().). The replacement of skeletal slots with moras will render the The replacement of skeletal slots with moras will render the

intermediate R and N nods superfluous:intermediate R and N nods superfluous:

LightLight HeavyHeavy

C CC C VV CC VV CC

Mora ProjectionMora Projection

What is the source of the moras themselves?What is the source of the moras themselves?-- lexical projection from vowelslexical projection from vowels

UnderlyingUnderlying-- structural projection from (coda) consonantsstructural projection from (coda) consonants

WWEIGHT EIGHT BBY Y PPOSITIONOSITION

VV C V CC V C C VC V VV C V CC V CC VC V

WBPWBP

Summing upSumming up

Syllables with branching rimes are defined as heavy.Syllables with branching rimes are defined as heavy. Heavy syllables attract stress regardless of their position in the Heavy syllables attract stress regardless of their position in the

word.word. To formalize this, the asterisk dominating the heavy syllable is To formalize this, the asterisk dominating the heavy syllable is

projected onto line 1, a process known as accenting.projected onto line 1, a process known as accenting. This vital step precedes foot construction.This vital step precedes foot construction. Accented syllables will of necessity head their feet.Accented syllables will of necessity head their feet. This follows from the Faithfulness Condition, which entails that each This follows from the Faithfulness Condition, which entails that each

head corresponds to a constituent and each constituent to some head corresponds to a constituent and each constituent to some head.head.

Final consonant extrasyllabicity accounts for the superficially final Final consonant extrasyllabicity accounts for the superficially final branching rimes in verbs and unsuffixed adjectives.branching rimes in verbs and unsuffixed adjectives.

Blocking extrametricality by underlying vowel length accounts for Blocking extrametricality by underlying vowel length accounts for nouns with final stress.nouns with final stress.

The onset plays no part in the calculation of syllable weight.The onset plays no part in the calculation of syllable weight. This leads to an alternative model of syllables, with rime segments This leads to an alternative model of syllables, with rime segments

attached to moras.attached to moras.

Next WeekNext WeekChapters 15 and 16Chapters 15 and 16

Assignment:Assignment:

Key QuestionsKey Questions

(pages 441 and 494)(pages 441 and 494)