A reanalysis of Munster Irish stress

Abstract

Munster Irish exhibits stress patterns unlike other Modem Irish dialects. Rather than landing word-initially, primary stress occurs anywhere within the first three syllables of a word (Stress Window). Munster Irish is a quantity sensitive language, demonstrated by the attraction of main stress to heavy syllables. According to Doherty (1991), these patterns can be explained through the application of Bimoraic Trochees. I find that the data is better accounted for using a version of the metrical foot as proposed by Hammond (1986): the Revised Obligatory Branching foot. In addition to iambic-like foot construction, I propose the creation of a Word Tree Reversal rule. Evidence for this analysis comes from the assignment of primary stress to the second heavy syllable, when two heavy syllables occur contiguously. The application of Hammond's model in conjunction with the Word Tree Reversal rule provides a solid explanation for the Munster Irish data.