The Fabb–Halle approach to metrical stress theory as a window on commonalities between music and language

This chapter comments on the discussion in Chapter 2. It situates the Fabb–Halle approach within the wider context of metrical stress theory and within linguistics more broadly, while responding to some of the specific claims made in Chapter 2. Taking this broader perspective makes possible an appreciation of the differences between the Fabb–Halle approach to metrical stress theory and other approaches within the same theoretical framework. The chapter is organized as follows. First, it describes metrical stress theory and how it has evolved over the years. Second, it reviews claims made in Chapter 2 and evaluates whether this approach provides a reasonable and better description of basic similarities between music and language than other approaches, such as those made by Lerdahl and Jackendoff (1983). Third, it addresses the descriptive versus explanatory adequacy of the theory, with particular emphasis on the question of whether the theory affords an explanation of the various patterns of prosodic prominence and grouping associated with the world's linguistic prosodic systems. Finally, it considers an alternative approach that seeks a perceptual basis for commonalities between music and language.