Stress in english words

Abstract

This study of Stress in English Words seeks to demonstrate that the categories of English word-stress, which are best determined by reference to the Rhythm Patterns of English words, exhibit a high degree of correlation with vowel quality and that their distributional relationships in words can be stated in terms of a few, relatively simple, general principles. In this first half of the study the general thesis is discussed (Chapters I, II and III) and the data, supporting this thesis, are given in respect of Pre-Tonic Rhythmic Stress Patterns (Chapter IV). In the concluding half, which is to appear in lingua, Volume VI, 4, the data in respect of Post-Tonic Rhythmic Stress Patterns are set forward (Chapter V), the status of each Rhythmic Stress Pattern is determined (Chapter VI) and the Distributional Relationships of Stress Categories, implicit in the data given in Chapters IV and V, are summarized (Chapter VII).