The spelling of the word "STEMTEM" may seem confusing at first glance, but it can be easily explained through its phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced as /stɛmtɛm/, with a primary stress on the first syllable and a secondary stress on the second. The "st" and "t" sounds are repeated twice, hence the double letters. The "e" in each syllable represents a schwa sound, which is a neutral vowel sound similar to the "uh" sound in "butter" or "sofa". Overall, the spelling of "STEMTEM" is a reflection of how the word sounds when pronounced.