Notes and Discussion

Abstract

OVERVIEWIn this paper I outline the results of a study done on adult Speakers of Spanish learning English. First, I present some relevant facts about English and Spanish stress assignment. Then I list the words which were given to the Spanish subjects, and the reasons underlying the choices. The results of this study are discussed in terms of such things äs the proper domain for extrametricality, and the transfer of Ll extrametricality markings. I conclude with some data from acquisition of stress in Ll (Spanish and English). SPANISH STRESSThe relevant facts about Spanish stress are taken from Harris (1983). There is no such thing äs an irregularly stressed verb form in Spanish. Information regarding non-verb stress must be supplied in the lexicon; segmental representation and morphological characterization are necessary but not sufficient to determine word stress. However, stress placement is not totally free due to residual effects of the Latin stress rule Oike English). Two points are of interest here:• Stress must fall on one of the last three syllables of the word. Although atäpama and atapäma are well-formed hypothetical words. * atäpama is not. • Antepenultimate stress is impossible if the penult is a closed syllable. Hypothetical atapämba and atapämba are well-formed but * atapämba is not (nor * atapämba). Although stress may appear on any of the last three syllables not all probabilities are equally likely. The following two generalizations are noted:• Penultimate stress is unmarked in vowel final words: