How Natural Is Tonal Phonology? What Happens to Stress-Tone Interactions When Tones Reverse?
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In the area of stress-tone interactions, it has been claimed to be a universal that High tone, rather than Middle or Low tone, attracts stress (de Lacy 2002, 2007). Data from two northern Dene languages, Tetst’ıné (ISO: CHP) and Wıìlıìdeh (ISO: DGR) complicate this simple generalization. These two languages have nearly identical tonal phonologies, but with opposite tones. Early in the derivation, iambic stress attracts High tone in Tetst’ıné, but Low tone in Wıìlıìdeh. However, later in the derivation, High tone attracts stress in both languages. I propose a unified analysis of both languages using underspecification and an extended tone hierarchy.
Source: Linguistic Inquiry
DOI: 10.1162/ling.a.556
Author: Alessandro M. Jaker
Institution: Sisseton Wahpeton College
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7123528858
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