In linguistics and phonology, stress refers to the emphasis placed on certain syllables within words or phrases. Understanding the different levels of stress is crucial for proper pronunciation and communication.
- Primary Stress:
- The strongest emphasis in a word
- Usually indicated by a high pitch and longer duration
- Example: In “photograph,” the primary stress is on “pho-“
- Secondary Stress:
- Less emphasis than primary stress but more than unstressed syllables
- Often occurs in compound words or longer words
- Example: In “photographic,” there’s secondary stress on “graph-“
- Weak Stress (or Unstressed):
- Little to no emphasis
- Often pronounced with a reduced vowel sound (schwa)
- Example: In “photograph,” the “-to-” is weakly stressed
Understanding stress patterns is essential for language learners, as it affects word recognition, rhythm, and overall comprehension in spoken language.
