Difference between revisions of "Stress"

From Glottopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(→‎Rules of Word Stress in English: further text revision)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{stub}}
+
In [[phonology]], the term '''stress''' generally refers to an abstract property of [[syllable]]s within the [[word domain]]. Stressed syllables are pronounced with more [[prominence]] than unstressed syllables. Prominence may involve greater [[amplitude]], higher [[pitch]], greater [[duration]] or greater accuracy of articulation (most notably in vowels).  
−
In [[phonology]], the term '''stress''' generally refers to an abstract property of [[syllable]]s within the [[word domain]] by which they are pronounced with more [[prominence]] than unstressed syllables. Prominence may involve greater [[amplitude]], higher [[pitch]], greater [[duration]] or greater accuracy of articulation (most notably in vowels).  
 
  
−
The degree of prominence of a syllable is marked by loudness, length and [[pitch]]. Lexical stress refers to the prominence relations within a word which distinguishes lexical meanings by means of stress, as in 'inCREASE' (verb) vs 'INcrease' (noun). The term '''stress''' is also more generally used to indicate which words or phrases in a sentence bear [[accent]], or [[focus]].
+
Lexical stress may be distinctive, as in 'inCREASE' (verb) vs 'INcrease' (noun).
 +
 
 +
The term '''stress''' is also more generally used to indicate which words or phrases in a sentence bear [[accent]] (are in [[focus]]).
  
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
−
== Stress in English nouns ==
+
==General rules of stress assignment in English==
−
 
+
There is only one primary stress position per word. Only syllables with a vocalic nucleus may be stressed.
−
 
 
−
Intonation, the “music” of a language, is perhaps the most important element of a correct accent. Pronunciation is another element constituting an accent, but correct intonation is also necessary in order to make an accent sound indistinguishably native. In many cases non-native speakers who have developed near-native second language skills in the fields of grammar, pronunciation of sounds and words of English, clearly remain recognizable as non-native speaker because of slight variations in intonation.
 
−
 
 
−
Therefore, it is necessary to realize that, besides pronunciation and linking, intonation is an important element to attain a native-like accent.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
=== Rules of Word Stress in English ===
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
====Two major rules for word stress====
 
−
 
 
−
#''There is only one main stress per word''. (One word cannot have two stresses. However, there can be a "secondary" stress in some words, but a secondary stress is much prominent than the main [primary] stress, and it is only used in long words.)
 
−
#''Only vowels are stressed, never consonants.''
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
====Further rules for word stress ====
 
−
There are also some more rules that help to find out where to put the primary stress. However, note that there are many exceptions, so that these rules should rather be used as guidelines. It is better to try to "feel" the music of the language and to add the stress naturally.
 
−
 
 
−
'''a. Stress on first syllable'''
 
−
 
 
−
Most 2-syllable nouns PRESent, EXport, CHIna, TAble
 
−
 
 
−
'''b. Stress on last syllable'''
 
−
 
 
−
Most 2-syllable verbs to preSENT, to exPORT, to deCIDE, to beGIN
 
−
 
 
−
'''c. Stress on penultimate syllable '''
 
−
 
 
−
Words ending in '''-ic''' GRAPHic, geoGRAPHic, geoLOGic
 
−
 
 
−
Words ending in '''-sion''' and '''-tion''' teleVIsion, reveLAtion
 
−
 
 
−
'''d. Stress on ante-penultimate syllable'''
 
−
 
 
−
Words ending in -'''cy, -ty, -phy''' and '''-gy''' deMOcracy, dependaBIlity, phoTOgraphy, geOLogy
 
−
 
 
−
Words ending in '''-al''' CRItical, geoLOGical
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
==== Stress for modifying adjectives and compound nouns====
 
−
 
 
−
In cases of groups of two or more words, the place of stress depends on whether it is a description or a compound noun. If it is a description, the adjective is usually less prominent whilethe main stress is put on the noun:
 
−
 
 
−
a nice '''guy'''
 
  
−
a big '''house'''
+
==Rules of stress placement for nouns and verbs==
 +
There are several, partly competing rules of stress assignment in English. The rules are sentitive to at least four factors: (i) the lexical class of the relevant iten, (ii) the number of syllables, (iii) the phonological make-up of each of the syllables involved, and (iv) the historical origin of the word.
  
−
a good '''idea'''
+
===Disyllabic nouns===
 +
[[Disyllabic]] nouns are mostly stressed on the [[penultimate]] syllable: ''PRESent'', ''EXport'', ''CHIna'', ''TAble''; exceptions are found in recent loan words, e.g. ''poLICE'', ''hoTEL''.
  
 +
===Disyllabic verbs===
 +
'''Disyllabic verbs'''
 +
# ... are stressed on the [[ultimate]] syllable if it is [[heavy]]: ''carouse'', ''esteem'', ''fatigue'', ''foment'', ''maintain'', etc.
 +
# ... are stressed on the [[penultimate]] syllable if the [[ultimate]] syllable is not [[heavy]]: ''ambush'', ''banish'', ''brevet'', ''cancel'', etc.
  
−
If two nouns form a compound noun, the stress is put on the first word:  
+
===Trisyllabic nouns===
 +
'''Trisyllabic nouns'''
 +
# ... are stressed on the [[penultimate]] syllable if it is not light: ''appendix'', ''banana'', ''intestine'', etc.
 +
# ... are stressed on the [[antepenultimate]] syllable if the penultimate syllable is light: ''asterisk'', ''citizen'', ''cinema'', etc.
  
−
a '''hot''' dog
+
===Trisyllabic verbs===
 +
'''Trisyllabic verbs'''
 +
# ... are stressed on the peunultimate syllable if the [[ultimate]] syllable is not heavy: ''abandon'', ''accomplish'', ''elicit'', etc.
 +
# ... are stressed on the antepenultimate syllable if the ultimate syllable is heavy: ''analyze'', ''celebtrate'', ''culminate'', etc.
  
−
a '''note'''book
+
===Lexical Stress - stress determining word class===
 +
There are many disyllabic words in English whose meaning and class is distinguished by stress, e.g. '''present'''. If the penultimate syllable is stressed, the word functions as a noun (''gift'') or an adjective (antonym of ''absent''); if the ultimate syllable is stressed, the word functions as a verb (''offer''). Similarly ''export'', ''import'', ''contract'', ''object'', etc.
  
−
a '''picture''' frame
+
==Rules of stress assignment for adjectives==
 +
Adjectives share properties with both verbs and nouns, as far as their prosodic behaviour is concerned. Many disyllabic adjectives are stressed on the penultimate syllable: ''ancient'', ''fragile'', ''hollow', ''narrow'', etc. Often, the stress position within a disyllabic adjectives is a function of the final syllable or suffix. For example, adjectives ending in ''-ant'', ''-ow'', ''-ient'' and ''-ous'' are normally stressed on the [[penultimate]] syllable: ''flagrant'', ''callow'', ''ancient'', ''anxious''. Specific (mostly Latinate) suffixes attract stress, e.g. '''-eme'' (''extreme'', ''supreme'') and ''-ene'' (''serene'', ''obscene'').
  
−
 
+
==Stress in adjective-noun combinations==
−
The difference is also illustrated in the following examples:
+
In cases of groups of two or more words, the place of stress depends on whether the group is a syntactic phrase or a compound noun. If it is a syntactic phrase, the adjective is usually less prominent while the noun carries the main stress: ''a nice GUY'' , ''a big HOUSE'', ''a good IDEA''. If two nouns form a compound noun, the stress is regularly put on the first word ('lefthand stress rule):  ''a HOT dog'', ''a PICture frame''. There are many (partly regular) exceptions to this rule, however, e.g. ''silk TIE'' and ''apple PIE'' (cf. Plag 2003).
−
 
 
−
#He lives in a white '''house'''.
 
−
 
 
−
He lives in the '''White''' House.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
a ''''greenhouse''' = place where we grow plants (compound noun)
 
−
 
 
−
a '''green 'house''' = house painted green (adjective and noun)
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
a ''''bluebird''' = type of bird (compound noun)
 
−
 
 
−
a '''blue 'bird''' = any bird with blue feathers (adjective and noun)
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
====Lexical Stress - stress determining word class====
 
−
There are many two-syllable words in English whose meaning and class is distinguished by stress, e.g. '''present'''. If the stress is put on the first syllable, it is a noun (gift) or an adjective (antonym for "absent"). But if the stress is put on the second syllable, it becomes a verb (to offer, to give a presentation).  
 
−
 
 
−
Further examples: the words '''export, import, contract''' and '''object''' can all be nouns or verbs depending on whether the stress is on the first or the second syllable.
 
  
 
====Cases of stress variation among native speakers====
 
====Cases of stress variation among native speakers====
−
For a few words, native English speakers don't always "agree" on where to put the stress. For example, some people say '''teleVIsion''' and others say '''TELevision'''. Another example is: '''CONtroversy''' and '''conTROversy'''
+
In a few words, variation in stress assignment can be observed, which is partly conditioned by [[diatopic]] or [[diastratic]] variation, but which is sometimes also [[idiolectal]]. For example, some people say '''teleVIsion''' while others say '''TELevision'''. Another example is '''CONtroversy''' vs. '''conTROversy'''.
−
 
 
−
== Intonation: Noun or Verb ==
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Knowing when and where to stress the words you use is very important for understanding, and is part of a good accent. A clear example is that of the different stress in nouns and verbs.
 
−
Usually (although there are some exceptions), the stress of a verb is on the last syllable, and that of a noun is on the first syllable.
 
−
 
 
−
to susPECT: meaning, to have an opinion
 
−
a SUSpect: meaning, a person under suspicion
 
−
 
 
−
to preSENT: meaning, to give, to introduce
 
−
a PREsent: meaning, a gift, now
 

Revision as of 10:26, 27 June 2010

In phonology, the term stress generally refers to an abstract property of syllables within the word domain. Stressed syllables are pronounced with more prominence than unstressed syllables. Prominence may involve greater amplitude, higher pitch, greater duration or greater accuracy of articulation (most notably in vowels).

Lexical stress may be distinctive, as in 'inCREASE' (verb) vs 'INcrease' (noun).

The term stress is also more generally used to indicate which words or phrases in a sentence bear accent (are in focus).

General rules of stress assignment in English

There is only one primary stress position per word. Only syllables with a vocalic nucleus may be stressed.

Rules of stress placement for nouns and verbs

There are several, partly competing rules of stress assignment in English. The rules are sentitive to at least four factors: (i) the lexical class of the relevant iten, (ii) the number of syllables, (iii) the phonological make-up of each of the syllables involved, and (iv) the historical origin of the word.

Disyllabic nouns

Disyllabic nouns are mostly stressed on the penultimate syllable: PRESent, EXport, CHIna, TAble; exceptions are found in recent loan words, e.g. poLICE, hoTEL.

Disyllabic verbs

Disyllabic verbs

  1. ... are stressed on the ultimate syllable if it is heavy: carouse, esteem, fatigue, foment, maintain, etc.
  2. ... are stressed on the penultimate syllable if the ultimate syllable is not heavy: ambush, banish, brevet, cancel, etc.

Trisyllabic nouns

Trisyllabic nouns

  1. ... are stressed on the penultimate syllable if it is not light: appendix, banana, intestine, etc.
  2. ... are stressed on the antepenultimate syllable if the penultimate syllable is light: asterisk, citizen, cinema, etc.

Trisyllabic verbs

Trisyllabic verbs

  1. ... are stressed on the peunultimate syllable if the ultimate syllable is not heavy: abandon, accomplish, elicit, etc.
  2. ... are stressed on the antepenultimate syllable if the ultimate syllable is heavy: analyze, celebtrate, culminate, etc.

Lexical Stress - stress determining word class

There are many disyllabic words in English whose meaning and class is distinguished by stress, e.g. present. If the penultimate syllable is stressed, the word functions as a noun (gift) or an adjective (antonym of absent); if the ultimate syllable is stressed, the word functions as a verb (offer). Similarly export, import, contract, object, etc.

Rules of stress assignment for adjectives

Adjectives share properties with both verbs and nouns, as far as their prosodic behaviour is concerned. Many disyllabic adjectives are stressed on the penultimate syllable: ancient, fragile, hollow', narrow, etc. Often, the stress position within a disyllabic adjectives is a function of the final syllable or suffix. For example, adjectives ending in -ant, -ow, -ient and -ous are normally stressed on the penultimate syllable: flagrant, callow, ancient, anxious. Specific (mostly Latinate) suffixes attract stress, e.g. -eme (extreme, supreme) and -ene (serene, obscene).

Stress in adjective-noun combinations

In cases of groups of two or more words, the place of stress depends on whether the group is a syntactic phrase or a compound noun. If it is a syntactic phrase, the adjective is usually less prominent while the noun carries the main stress: a nice GUY , a big HOUSE, a good IDEA. If two nouns form a compound noun, the stress is regularly put on the first word ('lefthand stress rule): a HOT dog, a PICture frame. There are many (partly regular) exceptions to this rule, however, e.g. silk TIE and apple PIE (cf. Plag 2003).

Cases of stress variation among native speakers

In a few words, variation in stress assignment can be observed, which is partly conditioned by diatopic or diastratic variation, but which is sometimes also idiolectal. For example, some people say teleVIsion while others say TELevision. Another example is CONtroversy vs. conTROversy.

Retrieved from "http://glottopedia.org/index.php?title=Stress&oldid=10789"