Breadth of focus, modality and prominence perception in Neapolitan Italian

Abstract

This study explores the notions of "nuclear stress", "accent placement" and "breadth of focus" in the Neapolitan variety of Italian. The predictions of standard generative theories about their interrelationships are tested through a perceptual study employing statements and questions with varying focus structure. The results show that broad focus statements are more ambiguous than late narrow focus ones as to the extraction of intended focus pattern. Broad focus questions are, in turn, less ambiguous than broad focus statements for the same purpose. The results suggest the importance of the role of accent type differences.