Blackbirds and blue whales: stress in English A+N constructions. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: BAUER, LAURIE
• Editors: Paradis, Carita; Johansson, Victoria; Põldvere, Nele
• Is Part Of: English language and linguistics. Volume 25:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 581
• Page End: 600
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: compound -- adjective -- English -- stress; English language -- Grammar -- Periodicals; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Linguistic change -- Periodicals; 420.5
• DOI: 10.1017/S1360674320000337
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-6743

Abstract

Abstract : In this article various constructions of English with the form A + N are considered, with particular reference to stress patterns. It is shown that there are several such patterns, and that stress patterns do not correlate with fixed effects. It is also argued that a simple division between compound and phrase does not seem to provide a motivation for the patterns found. The patterns seem to be determined partly by factors which are known to influence stress patterns in N + N constructions, and partly by lexical class, though variability in which expression belongs to which class is acknowledged. It is concluded that this is an area of English grammar that needs further research.