Word accent is a largely discussed field in modern linguistics. If one looks up the combination of the expressions ‘word’ and ‘accent’ in an Internet search engine like “Google”, one receives thousands of different websites concerning this issue. In this paper, I want to put together all the important facts of accent in English words and at the same time try to avoid a too complex view on the many details of the topic. In this attempt, I will focus on words in isolation and will only take a small outlook on accent in connected speech.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Accent, Stress and Prominence
- The four aspects of Prominence
- The four degrees of Prominence
- Accent in grammatically simple words
- Accent in grammatically complex words
- Affixes
- Suffixes
- Prefixes
- Compounds
- Compounds functioning as nouns
- Compounds functioning as adjectives and verbs
- Pseudo-compounds
- Affixes
- Variations in accentual patterns
- Accentual distinction in word-class pairs
- Stress-shift in connected speech
- Other discrepancies
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the intricacies of word accent in the English language, providing a comprehensive overview of the key concepts and principles governing this phenomenon. It seeks to illuminate the complexities of accent in both simple and complex words, while maintaining a clear and accessible approach.
- The multifaceted nature of accent and its relationship to stress and prominence
- The different aspects and degrees of prominence in spoken English
- The application of accent rules in simple and complex words, including affixes and compounds
- The variations in accentual patterns observed in word-class pairs, connected speech, and other contexts
- The significance of word accent in understanding and conveying meaning in spoken English
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the paper by establishing the importance and complexity of word accent in English linguistics. It also defines the scope of the paper, focusing on accent in isolated words with a brief look at accent in connected speech.
- Accent, Stress and Prominence: This chapter delves into the conceptual framework of accent, stress, and prominence, addressing the terminological ambiguity and offering a clear distinction between these related concepts. The chapter also introduces the four aspects of prominence (pitch, loudness, vowel quality, and vowel quantity) and examines their relative importance in determining the prominence of syllables.
- Accent in grammatically simple words: This chapter explores the fundamental principles of accent in words that are considered grammatically simple, analyzing the basic rules and patterns that govern the placement of stress in these words.
- Accent in grammatically complex words: This chapter examines the application of accent rules in words that are grammatically complex, focusing on the effects of affixes (suffixes and prefixes) and compounds (including those functioning as nouns, adjectives, verbs, and pseudo-compounds) on the placement of stress.
- Variations in accentual patterns: This chapter delves into the nuances and complexities of accent in various contexts, exploring how accentual patterns can vary depending on the word class, the surrounding words, and other factors. It examines cases of accentual distinction in word-class pairs, stress-shift in connected speech, and other discrepancies in accentual patterns.
Keywords
Word accent, stress, prominence, pitch, loudness, vowel quality, vowel quantity, affixes, suffixes, prefixes, compounds, word-class pairs, connected speech, accentual patterns, English phonology, Phonetics, intonation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Christian Cronauer (Autor:in), 2004, Accent in simple and complex words of English, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/29305
