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Article
Prosodic structure and expletive infixation
Language
(1982)
Abstract
An analysis of English Expletive Infixation (as in fan-fuckin-tastic) in terms of a metrical theory of prosody is presented. It is shown that the major environment for Expletive Infixation—immediately before a stressed syllable—follows from independently motivated characteristics of this theory. Further support for this metrical theory is adduced from infixation in words with dactylic stress alternation and with internal stress-neutral junctures, and from the subordination of stress in forms after infixation.
Disciplines
Publication Date
1982
Citation Information
John J McCarthy. "Prosodic structure and expletive infixation" Language Vol. 58 (1982) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john_j_mccarthy/11/