STUDIES ON THE CONTRAST BETWEEN STRESS IN COMPOUNDS AND PHRASES IN ENGLISH

Abstract

This study is focused on the investigation of the use of stress patterns to distinguish between meanings on the suprasegmental level. It is concerned, in particular, with the contrast between stress in compound words and phrases in English. Firstly, the study investigates the stress patterns of the English compound nouns and phrases and the general rules determining the place of stress in the two categories. Secondly, Generative Phonology has noted the property of the Compound and Nuclear Stress Rules. And thirdly, the study describes the viewpoints of some modern authors who argue against the traditional position of Generative Grammar. They predict a fixed stress pattern for some and a variable one for a distinct class of others. So, if the study fails to predict fixed stress patterns, it predicts their variability. Thus the investigation formulates the stress criterion for identifying compounds and phrases.