PERSISTENCE OF THE LATIN ACCENT IN THE NOMINAL ...

configuration of Figure 1-3 is representative of languages where words, unencumbered by
derivational or morphological constraints, routinely have initial stress.
s
s
s
s
x x x x x
Figure 1-3. Bracketing of contiguous elements (Liberman).
Bracketing allows the construction of a tree to which labeling correctly assigns s and w
labels, with the strong element always appearing as the left daughter of a constituent. Finally,
the segmental feature [±stress], whose primary role is “determining vowel-reduction,” is
assigned (Liberman 1979:210). This segmental feature is a carryover from the SPE approach to
analysis of accent. For English, assignment of [-stress] to a vowel indicates that it will most
likely be realized as [ə]. In the example shown in Figure 1-4, the word ‘testament’ is correctly
rendered through bracketing, labeling, and assignment of the feature [±stress]. The value [-] here
generates [ə] for the two unstressed vowels, or [ˈtɛs.tə.mənt].
R
s w
s w
tes tə mənt
+ - -
Figure 1-4. Metrical tree with labeling and assignment of the feature [±stress].
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