The predictive function of Swedish word accents
Swedish lexical word accents have been repeatedly said to have a low functional load. Even so, the language has kept these tones ever since they emerged probably over a thousand years ago. This article proposes that the primary function of word accents is for listeners to be able to predict upcoming morphological structures and narrow down the lexical competition rather than being lexically distinSwedish lexical word accents have been repeatedly said to have a lowfunctional load. Even so, the language has kept these tones ever sincethey emerged probably over a thousand years ago. This article proposesthat the primary function of word accents is for listeners to be ableto predict upcoming morphological structures and narrow down thelexical competition rather than being lexically distinctive
