STRESS ACCENT Meaning and
Definition
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Stress accent refers to the pronunciation of certain syllables in a word with greater emphasis or force than others. It is a linguistic term used to describe the prominence or stress placed on a particular syllable in a word when spoken. In languages with stress accent, the stress can significantly alter the meaning or pronunciation of a word.
In English, stress accent is an integral part of pronunciation. It involves placing greater emphasis and loudness on a specific syllable within a word, distinguishing it from the other syllables. Words like "brother" and "mother" have stress on the first syllable, while words like "banana" and "tomato" have stress on the second syllable. This variation in stress accent can help convey meaning and differentiate between words that may otherwise be spelled similarly.
Stress accent is not limited to English; many languages, including Russian, Greek, and Spanish, also utilize stress accent to distinguish between words with similar spelling but different meanings. In these languages, the stress accent often falls on the penultimate syllable of a word, unless a specific accent mark indicates otherwise.
Overall, stress accent plays a crucial role in language and communication, allowing for the proper understanding and interpretation of words and their meanings.
Etymology of STRESS ACCENT
The etymology of the word "stress accent" can be broken down as follows:
1. Stress: The word "stress" originated from the Latin word "strictus", which means "drawn tight" or "compressed". It entered the English language in the 14th century, referring to mental and physical hardship or strain.
2. Accent: The word "accent" comes from the Latin word "accentus", meaning "intonation" or "intoned voice". It entered English in the 14th century, initially referring to the pronunciation of words in a particular way.
When combined, "stress accent" refers to the emphasis or prominence given to a syllable or a word in terms of its pronunciation. The stress accent indicates the syllable that receives more force or emphasis in a word, creating a rhythmic pattern in language.
