Stress

Definition

In phonetics and phonology, stress refers to the emphasis placed on certain syllables within words or on certain words within sentences. This emphasis can affect the meaning and intelligibility of speech, making it an important feature in the production and perception of spoken language. Stress is not only about loudness; it also involves pitch, duration, and the vowel quality of the stressed syllable.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Stress patterns can vary significantly between languages, affecting how non-native speakers perceive and produce words.
2. In English, stress can change the meaning of a word; for example, 'record as a noun is stressed on the first syllable (RE-cord) while as a verb it is stressed on the second syllable (re-CORD).
3. Stressed syllables are typically louder, longer, and pronounced with a higher pitch than unstressed syllables.
4. The placement of stress can affect grammatical interpretation; for instance, 'inVITE' vs. 'INvite' indicates different meanings.
5. Understanding stress patterns is crucial for effective communication, as misplacing stress can lead to misunderstandings.

Review Questions

• How does stress affect the meaning of words in English?
  • In English, the placement of stress can dramatically change the meaning of a word. For example, the word 'record' has two different meanings based on where the stress falls: when stressed on the first syllable (RE-cord), it refers to a noun like an album or document, whereas stressing the second syllable (re-CORD) makes it a verb, meaning to capture information. This highlights how crucial stress is for clear communication and understanding.
• Compare and contrast stress with intonation in terms of their roles in spoken language.
  • While both stress and intonation are essential features of spoken language, they serve different functions. Stress emphasizes specific syllables or words to convey meaning or clarify importance, while intonation involves pitch variation across phrases or sentences to express emotions or indicate questions versus statements. Stress focuses more on individual elements within words or sentences, whereas intonation affects the overall melody and emotional tone of speech.
• Evaluate the impact of stress patterns on non-native speakers' comprehension and production of English.
  • Stress patterns can significantly challenge non-native speakers when learning English. Since many languages have different rules for stress, non-native speakers may misplace stress, leading to misunderstandings or difficulty being understood. Moreover, if they do not recognize the importance of stress in distinguishing word meanings or grammatical functions, their communication may be hindered. Consequently, teaching proper stress placement is vital for improving their fluency and ensuring effective interaction in English.

Related terms

Syllable: A unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds, typically consisting of a vowel sound alone or a vowel with one or more consonant sounds.

Intonation: The variation in pitch while speaking, which can convey different meanings or emotions beyond the literal words.

Lexical Stress: The specific pattern of stress assigned to syllables within a word, which can change the meaning of that word depending on which syllable is emphasized.