This dissertation explores some aspects of the interaction between tone and stress in the Fuzhou dialect of Chinese using the non-linear approach of current generative phonology. Tone is analyzed within the autosegmental framework, and stress is studied using metrical theory.

The first chapter contains a general introduction to both Chinese linguistic tradition, and the theoretical models used in the thesis.

The first part of chapter two is a description of the tones in Fuzhou, and the underlying forms the writer has assigned to them. The second part of the chapter investigates the historical tone IV, with two reflexes in the dialect, referred to as tones IVa and IVb. Syllables with tone IVa or IVb end in a glottal stop. Originating from *-k and *-?, the glottal stop is completely neutralized in stressed positions. Vestiges of the earlier distinction is still survived in other contexts. An analysis of the final glottal stop is made using the autosegmental model.

Chapter three investigates the stress patterning in Fuzhou, as well as the interaction of stress and tone. In addition, the chapter explores some alternating iambic and trochaic stress patterns.

Chapter four focusses on the tone sandhi changes in Fuzhou. In addition to the tone sandhi domains extending to at least four syllables, the system of tone sandhi in Fuzhou is one of the most complex among the Chinese dialects.

The fifth and last chapter studies a phenomenon in Fuzhou which is shared by very few dialects, namely the tonally-conditioned vowel quality changes.

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