On Noun-Verb Asymmetry in English Stress

Abstract

Lee, Yong-Sung. 2002. On Noun-Verb Asymmetry in English Stress. Korean Journal of Linguistics, 27-1, 109-128. This paper deals with noun-verb asymmetry in stress assignment in English. It is argued that the asymmetry is not due to the different ranking of constraints to different parts of speech, but due to the presence of a constraint StemStress. The interaction of StemStress with other stress-related constraints explains noun-first verb-second stress patterns. Further it also explains the two different types of exceptions: noun-second and verb first. Verb-first words are the manifestation of the general stress pattern in English and noun-second stress is the result of the interaction of StemStress with such constraints as subcategorization regulation, prohibition of stress on a schwa and head foot harmony. This paper, as such, argues against lexical division in dealing with the noun-verb asymmetry in stress. (Pusan University of Foreign Studies)