An Optimality-Theoretic Account of Superheavy Syllables in Urban Irbid Dialect
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1512.19Keywords:
Urban Irbid dialect, superheavy syllables, extrametricality, Weight-to-Stress PrincipleAbstract
This study investigates the distribution of superheavy syllables in Urban Irbid dialect (UID), revealing their occurrence in both non-final and final word positions. We argue that word-final superheavy syllables are characterized by an extrametrical or weightless final consonant. This extrametricality is proposed as a mechanism to satisfy constraints against trimoraic syllables (*3µ) and final consonants bearing weight (*FINAL-µ-C), albeit at the cost of violating the Weight-to-Stress Principle (WBP). Drawing on Broselow's (1992) analysis, we suggest that the extrametrical final consonant can alternatively satisfy WBP by violating a constraint against non-syllabic segments (NSµ). Furthermore, the analysis highlights that the absence of final CVCC syllables in UID stems from a violation of the Sonority Sequencing Principle. Finally, the paper notes the non-occurrence of certain non-final CVCC and CVCCC syllable types within the system, suggesting further constraints on syllable structure beyond those discussed.
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