Accent and Diaereme and Their Position in Functional Phonology

PhDr. Aleš Bičan, Ph.D.

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The work tries to overview the problem of accent and diaereme in functional phonology. Functional phonology is such a type as developed by N. S. Trubetzkoy, A. Martinet and/or J. W. F. Mulder. In addition to this main topic, the goal of the paper is to explore various notions of functional phonology and to define their basic concepts (like paradigmatic and syntagmatic relations, opposition, contrast, distinctive and contrastive function et al.) by means of relations. Most space is spent of the problem of accent and diaereme. Accent is certain phonic prominence attached to one and only one syllable within a word; its function is to mark the culminative peak of the word. Diaereme is another term for 'juncture'. It refers to ways words are connected within utterances and to means speakers use to distinguish between e.g. English _nitrate_ vs. _night-rate_ (so-called Grenzsignale).

Keywords

functional, functionalism, phonology, Trubetzkoy, Martinet, Mulder, relations, opposition, contrast, neutralization, concord, functions, accent, diaereme, juncture, disjuncture, boundary signals, Grenzsignale, funkční, funkcionalismus, fonologie, relace, opozice, kontrast, neutralizace, konkord, funkce, akcent, dierém, hraniční signály

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 28. 4. 2006

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 20. 6. 2006
• Supervisor: PhDr. Ondřej Šefčík, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Philology / General Linguistics