Abstract

We present a network morphology analysis of Russian noun stress. Nouns have a default fixed stem stress, but some nouns have nondefault stress that may deviate in a way that is determined by the form’s position within the paradigm: different declensions prefer particular patterns as their nondefault choices. Membership of a particular declension, it is argued, constrains the rang eof possible stress patterns. Stress is represented as a hierarchy with limited deviation in terms of number and, less often, case. Indices in the declension hierarchy are addressed to nodes in the stress hierarchy. These indices correspond to rank orderings that declensions have for stress patterns. Lexical items inherit a default value for index rank but may override this. It is not possible for any override value to be given at the lexical entry, as this has to be evaluated in the declension hierarchy. The use of cyclicity in metrical approaches is considered, and it is concluded that lexical marking is still required. In addition, it is predicted that accusative forms that are syncretic with the nominative or genitive on the basis of animacy must have the same stress as the form with which they are syncretic.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1996

Language

English

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1515/ling.1996.34.1.53

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Linguistics Commons

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