<OT> New Posting: ROA-651

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ROA 651-0404

Constraints on patterns of primary and secondary stress

Laura McGarrity <lwmcgarr at indiana.edu>

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=651


Abstract:
This dissertation examines the interaction of various phonologica
l phenomena with stress assignment. In some languages primary
and secondary stresses behave identically or symmetrically
with respect to a particular process. However, in other
languages, only primary stress undergoes the process while
secondary stress does not. In these languages, stress assignment
is said to be asymmetrical.
 

The goals of this study are two-fold. The first is empirical
in nature. A cross-linguistic comparison reveals a typology
of languages that exhibit symmetrical and asymmetrical stress
patterns. Special emphasis is placed on those languages
that demonstrate asymmetries in the behavior of primary
and secondary stresses with respect to a wide variety of
different phonological phenomena.

 
The second goal is theoretical, analyzing these languages
within the constraint-based framework of Optimality Theory.
It is shown that asymmetrical stress patterns can be accounted
for by referring to constraints that are specific to primary
stress. A crucial assumption of this proposal is that constraints
may not refer exclusively to secondary stress. Ranking a
primary-stress-specific constraint in a stringency relation
above a general stress constraint, with an antagonistic
constraint ranked intermediately between them, yields an
asymmetrical pattern. Due to the nature of the stringency
relation – in which violation of the specific constraint
implies violation of the general constraint, but not vice
versa – there is no ranking of these constraints that will
yield a pattern in which a phonological process applies
only in secondary stressed syllables. This is a desirable
consequence, since, with respect to certain phonological
processes – including nonfinality effects, stressed syllable
lengthening, and stress-driven sonority – such patterns
are unattested. However, with respect to other phonological
processes – e.g., quantity-sensitivity and sonority-driven
stress – this type of asymmetrical pattern is attested.
It is proposed that the difference between those processes
that can apply only in secondary stressed syllables and
those that cannot rests in whether stress assignment is
process-driven or whether the process is stress-driven.
This fundamental dichotomy predicts when such an asymmetrical
pattern will be attested and when it will not.

Comments: Dissertation date: 2003
Keywords: stress, secondary stress, metrical phonology, typology, positional markedness, stringency, vowel lengthening, nonfinality, sonority sensitivity, quantity sensitivity
Areas: Phonology
Type: PhD Dissertation

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=651