Word stressWord stress

StressStress

►Based on loudness/intonation: a Based on loudness/intonation: a stressed syllable is louder than an stressed syllable is louder than an unstressed syllableunstressed syllable

►We can stress only vowelsWe can stress only vowels►Degrees of stress: Degrees of stress:

Primary or main stressPrimary or main stress Secondary stress Secondary stress Zero stress (‘ve(h)icle): reduced vowel (ɪ, Zero stress (‘ve(h)icle): reduced vowel (ɪ,

ʊ, ǝ)ʊ, ǝ) Tertiary (minor) stress: unreduced vowelTertiary (minor) stress: unreduced vowel

Using these codes where would Using these codes where would you put the primary and you put the primary and secondary stress in these secondary stress in these

words?words?

Example:Example:3 3

AnswersAnswers

3 3 3

3

Stress on first syllableStress on first syllable

►Most 2-syllable nouns (‘present, Most 2-syllable nouns (‘present, ‘export, ‘China, ‘table)‘export, ‘China, ‘table)

►Most 2-syllable adjectives (‘present, Most 2-syllable adjectives (‘present, ‘slender, ‘clever, ‘happy)‘slender, ‘clever, ‘happy)

Stress on the last syllableStress on the last syllable

►Most 2-syllable verbs (to pre’sent, to Most 2-syllable verbs (to pre’sent, to ex’port, to de’cide, to be’ginex’port, to de’cide, to be’gin

There are many two-syllable words in English There are many two-syllable words in English whose meaning and class change with a whose meaning and class change with a

change in stress.change in stress. ► ‘‘Refuse (n) Refuse (n) (v) (v)► ‘‘Present (n) Present (n) (v) (v)► ‘‘Minute (n) Minute (n) (adj) (adj)► ‘‘Desert (n) Desert (n) (v) (v)► ‘‘Content (n) Content (n) (adj) (adj)► ‘‘Object (n) Object (n) (adj) (adj)► ‘‘Contract (n) Contract (n) (v) (v)

AnswersAnswers

►re’fuse (v)re’fuse (v)►pre’sent (v)pre’sent (v)►min’ute (adj)min’ute (adj)►de’sert (v)de’sert (v)►con’tent (adj)con’tent (adj)►ob’ject (adj)ob’ject (adj)►con’tract (v)con’tract (v)