“Natural” stress patterns and dependencies between edge alignment and quantity sensitivity

We conducted an artificial language learning experiment to study asymmetries that might reveal latent preferences relating to, and any dependencies between, the edge alignment quantity sensitivity (QS) parameters in stress patterning. used a poverty of stimulus approach teach American English speakers unbounded QS rule (stress single CV: syllable) either left- or right-aligning QI if only light syllables were present. Forms with two withheld phase added test phase, forcing participants choose between options for rule. Participants learned right-edge rules equally well, also basic Response patterns words suggest biases favoring left-aligning left-edge default. Our results pattern rightedge default was least favored. argue shown be preferred based on evidence from ease-of-learning participants’ untrained generalizations can considered more natural than less favored opposing patterns. cognitive revealed by studies may have contributed shaping typology.