| ROA: | 310 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Quantity Sensitivity as the Result of Constraint Interaction |
| Authors: | Birgit Alber |
| Comment: | |
| Length: | 49 |
| Abstract: | Quantity Sensitivity as the Result of Constraint Interaction Birgit Alber University of Marburg Traditionally, quantity sensitivity is assumed to be a binary parameter characterizing the stress pattern of the world's languages: in some languages syllable weight systematically influences the distribution of stress, others don't show any weight effects. In this paper I claim that the concept of quantity sensitivity is neither adequate nor necessary. It is not adequate, because partially quantity sensitive languages exist, which show weight effects in some contexts, but not in others. It is not necessary, because weight effects can be interpreted as the result of constraint interaction. Thus, the high ranking of certain constraints such as the weight-to-stress principle (WSP) will favor weight-effects while lower-rank of the WSP with respect to alignment constraints, constraints requiring exhaustive parsing or constraints militating against stress clash, will obscure weight-effects. A partially quantity-sensitive language is characterized by a medial position of constraints favoring weight- effects (most typically the WSP) in the hierarchy. Secondary stress in German loan-words and Finnish stress are analysed as examples of partially quantity sensitive systems. Estonian (see Kager 1994) exemplifies an almost completely quantity insensitive language: weight effects emerge only in very limited contexts, due to the low position of the WSP in the constraint hierarchy. The Estonian ranking with the addition of the constraint Nonfinality gives a completely quantity-insensitive system. The empirical scope of the paper is limited to trochaic systems. This paper was published as: Alber (1997), "Quantity Sensitivity as the Result of Constraint Interaction". In: Geert Booij & Jeroen van de Weijer (eds.), Phonology in Progress - Progress in Phonology. HIL Phonology Papers III, pp. 1- 45. The Hague: Holland Academic Graphics. |
| Type: | Paper/tech report |
| Area/Keywords: | |
| Article: | Version 1 |