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In:Perspectives on Linguistic Structure and Context: Studies in honor of Knud Lambrecht
Edited by Stacey Katz Bourns and Lindsy L. Myers
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 244] 2014
► pp. 133–156

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Final compression in French as a phrasal phenomenon

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Published online: 5 March 2014
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https://doi.org/10.1075/pbns.244.07fer
Final compression in French is examined from a theoretical perspective and illustrated with experimental data. In French, only final prosodic domains that are at least the size of a prosodic phrase (Φ-phrase) may be subject to final compression. Prosodic units that are smaller than Φ-phrases, such as prosodic words (ω-words) or syllables, cannot be compressed. Therefore, final compression is a phrasal phenomenon. This conclusion is confirmed in a comparison between sequences consisting of a noun + adjective and verb + argument on one hand, and verb + adjunct on the other. Syntactic expressions of the first kind are integrated into single Φ-phrases, and final compression does not take place. Syntactic sequences of the verb + adjunct variety, however, form separate Φ-phrases, and final compression may occur.
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