Clash Avoidance and Metrical Opacity in Singapore English

Abstract

Some word accentuation patterns in Singapore English are metrically opaque with abutting stressed syllables, e.g. phonology. Yet words like abacus are metrically transparent, cf. Singapore English abacus vs. English abacus. I show that phonology & abaacus result from the interplay of two metrical derivations, one based on the English (H)(sigma)/((sigma)L)(sigma) typology & the other on the (H)/((sigma)L) typology, a Singapore English innovation. Phonology carries both English (phonology) & Singapore English (phonology) footings. Abacus exhibits the Singapore English footing (-bacus) & the effect of clash avoidance as an active constraint.