Syllable Weight Notation Conventions
Factors which determine syllable weight in each language are indicated in the Comment column of the database. The following conventions are used:
- VV
-
long vowel
- V
-
short vowel if contrasted with VV, otherwise any vowel
- v
-
reduced vowel
- C
-
consonant
- X
-
segment (vowel or consonant)
- N
-
sonorant or nasal, as indicated
- K
-
obstruent
- 6
-
schwa
- (X)
-
optional X, e.g. V(K) is a syllable with a short vowel optionally followed by an obstruent
- >
-
"is heavier than", e.g. VV > V indicates syllables with long vowels are heavier than syllables with short vowels (whether opened or closed by a consonant); VX > V indicates that syllables with long vowels and closed syllables are heavier than short opened syllables
- L,H,s
-
Foot shapes are indicated, where relevant, using 'L' and 'H' to designate light and heavy syllables, and 's' to designate a syllable of arbitrary shape (i.e. where weight doesn't matter). The foot head is designated with an apostrophe where necessary, e.g. ('LL) or (LL') for left- or right-headed feet, respectively. (HL) and (LH) represent respectively left- and right-headed feet, unless marked otherwise. In some languages, primary stress is sensitive to more than two degrees of syllable weight. In those languages, unless indicated otherwise, L refers to the lightest syllable weight and H refers to all heavier weights
- 1ry, 2ry
-
refer to primary and secondary stress, respecti