Syllable onsets as a factor in stress rules: the case of Mathimathi revisited

Abstract

Theories of stress assignment commonly assume that syllable onsets do not determine a syllable's ability to attract stress. In the frameworks of McCarthy (1979) and Hayes (1981, 1995), for example, only the rhyme is projected in order to determine the weight of a syllable. In Moraic Theory (Hyman 1985), onsets do not contribute to the weight of a syllable as a consequence of the Onset Creation rule, by which onsets lose their weightbearing unit. In the framework of Hayes (1989), the rule of Weight-by-Position ensures that only coda consonants can ever be weight-bearing.

Weightless Segments: A Phonetic and Phonological Study concerning the Metrical Irrelevance of Syllable Onsets

“…The words in (14b) have stress on the second syllable though this syllable is clearly not heavy. We also observe in (14) that a secondary stress remains on the first syllable in words that put main stress on the second 9 Though it does indeed correctly derive the regular Mathimathi stress patterns, Davis' (1988) analysis is subject to some criticism, which can be found in Goedemans (1993), Gahl (1996) and below.…”

“…Gahl (1996) shows convincingly that such an onset-insensitive analysis 15 There are several other suffixes that play a role in Mathimathi nouns and verbs. These other suffixes follow the general pattern.…”

“…chapters 4 and 5). Fortunately, a convincing INTRODUCTION 21 alternative for the Mathimathi stress rule, based on the insights of Gahl (1996), can be provided. A detailed analysis of the origins of this unusual stress pattern will be presented in section 6.3.…”

“…This may be possible if we recognise the apparent role of onsets in the stress rule as the result of rules that conspire behind the scenes to generate the observed pattern. Such a set of alternative rules is provided by Gahl (1996). Her solution to the Mathimathi problem is modified and placed in a larger context in Goedemans (1997).…”

“…Apart from that, none of the earlier accounts explained adequately why onsetless second syllables should also attract stress. Gahl (1996) proposes an alternative analysis of Mathimathi stress that 10 Many thanks to Luise Hercus for graciously allowing me to use her field tapes, and to the AIATSIS for providing me with the copies and a quiet listening room. The tapes used were all recorded between 1965 and 1971 at Point Pearce by Luise Hercus.…”