Difference between revisions of "Minimal word constraint"
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(New page: The '''minimal word constraint''' sets a minimum for the size of lexical words. In English, for example, a lexical word cannot be shorter than two moras: either a [[heavy syllable...) |
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| − | The '''minimal word constraint''' sets a minimum for the size of [[lexical word]]s. In English, for example, a lexical word cannot be shorter than two [[mora]]s: either a [[heavy syllable]], that is, either a syllable with a long vowel (like ''eye'' [ | + | The '''minimal word constraint''' sets a minimum for the size of [[lexical word]]s. In English, for example, a lexical word cannot be shorter than two [[mora]]s: either a [[heavy syllable]], that is, either a syllable with a long vowel (like ''eye'' [aɪ], ''go'' [goʊ], ''far'' [fɑː]), or a [[closed syllable]] (like ''cat'' [kat], ''ate'' [ɛt], ''met'' [mɛt]); or two [[light syllable]]s (like ''letter'' [lɛtə], ''city'' [sɪti]). ([[Function word]]s may be shorter than two moras, though in English this only occurs with their [[reduced form]]s: ''for'' [fɔː]/[fə], ''she'' [ʃiː]/[ʃi], etc.). |
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| + | French, unlike English, does not possess a minimal word constraint: accordingly French lexical words may consist of a single light syllable: ''eau'' [o] `water', feu [fø] `fire', etc. | ||
Revision as of 19:25, 20 October 2007
The minimal word constraint sets a minimum for the size of lexical words. In English, for example, a lexical word cannot be shorter than two moras: either a heavy syllable, that is, either a syllable with a long vowel (like eye [aɪ], go [goʊ], far [fɑː]), or a closed syllable (like cat [kat], ate [ɛt], met [mɛt]); or two light syllables (like letter [lɛtə], city [sɪti]). (Function words may be shorter than two moras, though in English this only occurs with their reduced forms: for [fɔː]/[fə], she [ʃiː]/[ʃi], etc.).
French, unlike English, does not possess a minimal word constraint: accordingly French lexical words may consist of a single light syllable: eau [o] `water', feu [fø] `fire', etc.
