According to S. Sivagnanachelvi et. al (2008), Stresses are important in
speech. They signal meaning, attitude and grammar. In other words, stress also refers to the strength of the syllable or word pronounced. One or several syllables may be found in a word. Words with more than one syllable will have a syllable stress. Using the correct stress is important in being understood correctly, especially when words can have similar spelling but different meaning. The stressed syllable may sound longer, higher or stronger than the other syllables in the word. To indicate which of the syllables in the word is stressed, a mark is indicated in front of it. If we are not sure of where the stress is, the dictionary gives the best guide to the stress system used. The stress mark is usually shonw like this: / ` /. Therefore in the word, avoid, the stress is marked as follows in the transcribed form: / `vId /. It is said that the English language has a complex stress system and the second language learner often has a hard time coping with it. However, underneath all the complexities, some general principles are discernible. These principles are discussed together with the activities. In this section, we shall examine the syllable stress and the word stress. The syllable stress concentrates on the stress within an isolated word while the words stress emphasis the pattern in a phrase or a sentence.
Syllable Stress Syllables break our words up into sections which can be stressed, or unstressed. Which syllable is stressed, alters the pronunciation of the word. Syllable stress can be divided into four category that is, Two-syllable verbs, Two-syllable nouns, Three-syllable verbs, and Three-syllable nouns.
Two-syllable verbs
Two-syllable nouns
Most of the time, the stress in on the first syllable. But if the second contains a long vowels or diphtong or it ends with more than one consonant, then the second syllable is stressed. For example: At tract As sist If the second syllable contains a short vowels then the stress is on the first syllable most of the time. Or else, the stress is on the second syllable. For instance: sugar entry
Three-syllable verbs
Three-syllable nouns
The stress is usually on the second syllable if the last syllable contains a short vowel and ends with not more than one consonant. If the last syllable has a long vowel or diphtongs, or ends with more than one consonant, then the final syllable is stressed. Example: Discover quantity Entertain If the noun contains a short vowel in the final syllable, it is not stressed. If the syllable before this final syllable has a long vowel or diphtong or if the word ends with more than one consonant, then the middle syllable is stressed.
Example: catalogue Permission
Word Stress Now that we understand the concept of syllables, let's look at how some syllables are more important than others. Let's start by looking at some words. What's the difference in pronunciation between the underlined words in the following sentences: The Olympic team just set a new record in swimming. The musical group is going to record a new CD (compact disc). "Record," in sentence (1) is accented on the first syllable: RE-cord. "Record," in sentence (2) is accented on the second syllable: re-CORD.The stress difference distinguishes the meaning of these two words, even though they are spelled exactly the same. This phenomenon is called "wordstress." English word stress is not as regular as in many languages, such as French, in which the stress normally goes on the last syllable. However, the good news is that there are ways in which you can know which syllable is stressed. To understand more about word stress, it is good if we see the classes of word that are stressed and not stressed.
Classes of word that are stressed
Nouns - Words that refers to people, places or things (e.g: Judith, Japan)
Main Verbs - Words used to say something about nouns (e.g: sing, walk)
Adjectives - Word used to describe Nouns (e.g: red, pretty)
Adverbs - Word used to describe verbs, adjectives or another adverbs (e.g: loudly)
Interrogative Pronouns - Word used to asking question (e.g: who, when)
Demonstrative Pronouns - Word used to point out the objects (e.g: the, that)
Classes of word that are not stressed
Personal Pronoun - Word used instead of a noun that stands for the person speaking the person spoken to, and the spoken of. (e.g: Me, I, You)
Articles - Word that are used before nouns. (e.g: a, an, the)
Relatives Pronouns - Words used to refer to nouns used earlier in the sentence. (e.g: who, which, that, when)
Conjunction - Words used to joint two words or sentence together. (e.g: and, but, or)
Auxiliary Verbs - Verb that do not carry the main meaning of the sentence but assist the main verb to express meaning in terms of time reference and mental attitude.