ABSTRACT
In each case, the SPE translation of these statements has to be made in terms of sequences of segments. For instance, any of the following rules is an appropriate formalization of [ 2] (where ]w is a word-edge):
But these statements are equally arbitrary. Indeed, whether or not the vowel in the last syllable is followed by consonants is irrelevant. If, on the other hand, we recognize that the syllable is a unit, labelled o from now on, then matters become simpler. 1 The Polish stress rule can simply be stated as [ 4]:
[4] o ~a (o) J.., and the overall morpheme template of Mazateco is [o o].
