Abstract
German as well as other languages show a preference for rhythmical alternation, a phenomenon mostly discussed as the Rhythm Rule. This rule has mainly been explored on the word level, although it can also occur on a phrasal level. This study shows that it operates regularly on both levels. In contrast to its assumed appearance in English, the RR exists not only on the perceptual level but is also used as an articulatory strategy to avoid rhythmically disharmonic stress clashes. Syllable duration turned out to be the main indicator for the perception and production of stress shifts. The results of this study suggest that the RR plays an important role in German prosodic phonology.