An Optimality-Theoretic Account of Superheavy Syllables in Urban Irbid Dialect

This study investigates the distribution of superheavy syllables in Urban Irbid dialect (UID), revealing their occurrence in both non-final and final word positions. We argue that word-final superheavy syllables are characterized by an extrametrical or weightless final consonant. This extrametricality is proposed as a mechanism to satisfy constraints against trimoraic syllables (*3μ) and final consonants bearing weight (*FINAL-μ-C), albeit at the cost of violating the Weight-to-Stress Principle (WBP). Drawing on Broselow's (1992) analysis, we suggest that the extrametrical final consonant can alternatively satisfy WBP by violating a constraint against non-syllabic segments (NSμ). Furthermore, the analysis highlights that the absence of final CVCC syllables in UID stems from a violation of the Sonority Sequencing Principle. Finally, the paper notes the non-occurrence of certain non-final CVCC and CVCCC syllable types within the system, suggesting further constraints on syllable structure beyond those discussed

Consonant · Optimality theory · Sonority hierarchy · Syllable · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Phonetics and Phonology Research · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation