Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2008
Murray and Vennemann, (1983) have argued in favor of (A) *- - over (B) *- - for Proto-Germanic on the basis of word division in Gothic manuscripts and meter in older verse. They note that (A) is consistent with the Stressed Syllable Law (SSL), which favors bimoric rhymes, but that (A) violates Hooper's Law (HL), which favors codas weaker than onsets. They cite three phenomena as remedies: gemination, vowel lengthening and glide strengthening. This paper disputes their analysis and cites the role of the Simple (metrical) Foot as evidence in favor of (B), which satisfies HL but violates the SSL. The three phenomena are interpreted as remedies to this violation.*