Abstract
In this study we measured patterns of pitch alignment, pitch range and duration in relation to broad and contrastive focus in Romanian. In declarative sentences with broad focus, speakers place a pitch accent on each lexically stressed syllable with peaks that become progressively lower towards the end of the sentence. In prenuclear accents peaks align with the post-tonic syllable. In declarative sentences with contrastive focus, speakers use strategies based on pitch and duration in order to build a maximum contrast between the word under focus and those in pre- and post-focal contexts: an expanded pitch range under focus and a reduced pitch range and shorter stressed syllables in pre- and post-focal contexts. Thus, the flat F0 and shorter segmental durations in pre- and post-focal contexts constitute a background that by contrast, highlights the segmental durations and expanded pitch ranges found under contrastive focus.
Date of this Version
2009
Recommended Citation
Manolescu, A., Olson, D. J., & Ortega-Llebaria, M. (2009). Cues to contrastive focus in Romanian. In M. Vigaro, S. Frota, & M. J. Freitas (Eds.), Phonetics and phonology: Interactions and interrelations (pp. 71-90). Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
Comments
This is the author accepted manuscript of Manolescu, A., Olson, D. J., & Ortega-Llebaria, M. (2009). Cues to contrastive focus in Romanian. In M. Vigaro, S. Frota, & M. J. Freitas (Eds.), Phonetics and phonology: Interactions and interrelations (pp. 71-90). Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
It was accepted for publication in the book and John Benjamins Publishing retains copyright. All reuse permissions requests should be directed to the publisher