Actually Tom,

"Ner-it-EEN-a" is correct.  There are a number of two-syllable suffixes
which always receive emphasis on the first syllable, regardless of what
comes before, and therefore take precedence over the antepenultimate rule
when they are applied.  For example, -ensis, -ellus (-ella), -inus (-ina),
-atus (-ata), -osus (-osa).  Obviously, we would not say "flor-ID-en-sis",
but "flor-id-EN-sis".  Not "Tur-BIN-el-la" but "Tur-bin-EL-la".  Not
"Lit-TOR-in-a" but "Lit-tor-IN-a".  And not "Ner-IT-in-a", but
"Ner-it-IN-a".

There are also a number of three-syllable suffixes, which likewise always
receive emphasis on the first syllable, and in so doing appear to conform to
the antepenultimate rule, but actually are not governed by that rule
(-oideus, -issimus, -errimus, etc.). "-pul-cher-IS-sim-us". "ov-OID-e-us".

Regards,
Paul M.

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