Abstract
This paper gives an account of stress patterns and parameters in an understudied Bedouin dialect, Bani Sulaim dialect, BSD. This dialect is spoken in the Hijaz region in Saudi Arabia. The analysis is based on Metrical Theory as represented in Hayes (1995). The speech of three native speakers of BSD is examined where words with different morphological and phonological shapes are analyzed. The data show that BSD is a moraic iambic dialect with (LL), (LH) and H foot inventory. This makes BSD different from the larger moraic trochaic dialects spoken in neighboring cities, such as Urban Hijazi dialect. In BSD, final CV(C) syllable is extrametrical, and stress is limited to one of the last three syllables, which is enforced by End Rule Right principle. Final syllable extrametricality prevents stress from occurring on final syllable. Stress in BSD is assigned only to bimoraic words. This weight requirement is manifested in the absence of monosyllabic words with CVC and CV syllable shapes. CV syllable is monomoraic, while CVC syllable word finally is not bimoraic since the coda does not receive a mora due to the absence of weight by position rule, WBP. The bimoraic weight requirement suggests that degenerate feet are prohibited in BSD, however, final syllable extrametricality can render certain disyllabic words monomoraic which are repaired through revoking final syllable extrametricality. The interaction between final syllable extrametricality and disyllabic words without a heavy syllable result in surface trochaic feet (LL).