Generated metrical form and implied metrical form

Nigel Fabb

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Metrical verse is characterized by rules and by tendencies. In English iambic pentameter, a stressed syllable must be in an even-numbered position or first position if it is in a polysyllable; it will tend to be in an even-numbered position or first position if it is a monosyllable. This example demonstrates that there is an apparent relation between rule and tendency (they relate similar phonological characteristics to the same positions in the line), which raises the possibility that they should be explained together, and indeed this has generally been assumed. Howe¬ver, I will argue in this paper that rules and tendencies require completely different kinds of explanation. Rules are explained by a generative theory (specifically Bracketed Grid theory, Fabb and Halle (forthcoming)); tendencies are explained by a pragmatic theory (specifically Relevance Theory, Sperber and Wilson (1995)).
LanguageEnglish
Title of host publicationFormal Approaches to Poetry
Subtitle of host publicationRecent Developments in Metrics
EditorsB. Elan Dresher, Nila Friedberg
Place of PublicationBerlin
Pages77-91
Number of pages15
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Publication series

NamePhonology and Phonetics
PublisherMouton de Gruyter
Volume11

Fingerprint

pragmatics

Keywords

  • metrical form
  • english language
  • metrical verse
  • polysyllable

Cite this

Fabb, N. (2006). Generated metrical form and implied metrical form. In B. E. Dresher, & N. Friedberg (Eds.), Formal Approaches to Poetry: Recent Developments in Metrics (pp. 77-91). (Phonology and Phonetics; Vol. 11). Berlin.
Fabb, Nigel. / Generated metrical form and implied metrical form. Formal Approaches to Poetry: Recent Developments in Metrics. editor / B. Elan Dresher ; Nila Friedberg. Berlin, 2006. pp. 77-91 (Phonology and Phonetics).
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Fabb, N 2006, Generated metrical form and implied metrical form. in BE Dresher & N Friedberg (eds), Formal Approaches to Poetry: Recent Developments in Metrics. Phonology and Phonetics, vol. 11, Berlin, pp. 77-91.

Generated metrical form and implied metrical form. / Fabb, Nigel.

Formal Approaches to Poetry: Recent Developments in Metrics. ed. / B. Elan Dresher; Nila Friedberg. Berlin, 2006. p. 77-91 (Phonology and Phonetics; Vol. 11).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

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PY - 2006

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AB - Metrical verse is characterized by rules and by tendencies. In English iambic pentameter, a stressed syllable must be in an even-numbered position or first position if it is in a polysyllable; it will tend to be in an even-numbered position or first position if it is a monosyllable. This example demonstrates that there is an apparent relation between rule and tendency (they relate similar phonological characteristics to the same positions in the line), which raises the possibility that they should be explained together, and indeed this has generally been assumed. Howe¬ver, I will argue in this paper that rules and tendencies require completely different kinds of explanation. Rules are explained by a generative theory (specifically Bracketed Grid theory, Fabb and Halle (forthcoming)); tendencies are explained by a pragmatic theory (specifically Relevance Theory, Sperber and Wilson (1995)).

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Fabb N. Generated metrical form and implied metrical form. In Dresher BE, Friedberg N, editors, Formal Approaches to Poetry: Recent Developments in Metrics. Berlin. 2006. p. 77-91. (Phonology and Phonetics).

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