Feet, syllables, moras and the estonian quantity system

Abstract

The Estonian language is unique in that it differentiates between three degrees of length in vowels, as well as in consonants. Phonologically, the ternary system of Estonian quantity has been interpreted in a variety of manners, but a generally accepted description has yet to be found. In the present paper, I argue for the approach that overlong segments arise due to foot-final lengthening in monosyllabic feet. Final lengthening is not simply a matter of phonetic implementation, as it may be the result of the addition of a mora at the end of the foot or from the strength of the final mora. I focus my discussion on the second case, which links foot-final lengthening and quantity degrees to the well-known Iambic-Trochaic Law.