Some materials for Practical Phonetics

1. The Nature of English Word
Stress
Complied by Lisa Bolharova

2. Outline
 Definition & Parameters of word stress
 4 factors which make a syllable prominent
 Types of WS in different languages
 Peculiarities of English word stress
 Peculiarities of word stress in other languages

3. Word Stress is the singling out of one or more
syllables in a word, which is accompanied by the
change of the force of utterance, pitch of the voice,
qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the
sound which is usually a vowel.
Analysis of WS is carried out according to the
parameters:
The nature of English word-stress;
 Its degree and syllabic location;
 Its functions;
 Basic stress patterns of the English words

4. Stress is studied from the
point of view of
Production Perception
Stressed syllables
are recognized as
such because they
are more
prominent than
unstressed
Speakers use
more muscular
energy while
producing stressed
syllables

5. Factors which make a syllable prominent
Loudness - stressed syllable seems louder
than unstressed
Length of the syllables
Pitch of the syllable
Quality when compared with neighboring
vowels

6. Types of Word Stress
Dynamic or force stress (intensity of articulation);
Musical or tonic stress (pitch or musical tone);
Quantitative and qualitative stress.
English stress is dynamic, implying the greater
force for pronouncing a syllable. The hierarchy of
acoustic cues contains pitch, duration, intensity and
the segmental quality.

7.  In Scandinavian languages lexical stress is
considered to be both dynamic and musical.
 In Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and other
oriental languages – musical or tonic.
Russian stress is differ from English. Russian
vowels of full formation and full-length are never
pronounced in unstressed position.

8. Conclusion
Word Stress is the singling out of one or more
syllables in a word. Stress can be studied from the
point of view of production and perception.
Loudness, pitch, length and quality are four
factors making a syllable prominent.
Word Stress has the following types as dynamic,
musical, quantitative or qualitative.