0
Ruttonjee Posted 19 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation
stress
0 Hi there, 02 br
02 br
00 I am wondering why so many native speakers do not follow the stress patterns of words stated in dictionary. For example, most dictionaries suggest that we should stress 'situAtion', but some native speakers will stress both 'SItuAtion. I think when we speak a word on its own, we should follow its stress patterns suggested by the dictionary. When the word goes with other words in a sentence, people will be allowed to alter the stress pattern of the word so as to achieve effective communication. 02 br
02 br
00 Do you agree, native speakers? 02 br
02 br
00 Simon 0-
02 br
00 I am wondering why so many native speakers do not follow the stress patterns of words stated in dictionary. For example, most dictionaries suggest that we should stress 'situAtion', but some native speakers will stress both 'SItuAtion. I think when we speak a word on its own, we should follow its stress patterns suggested by the dictionary. When the word goes with other words in a sentence, people will be allowed to alter the stress pattern of the word so as to achieve effective communication. 02 br
02 br
00 Do you agree, native speakers? 02 br
02 br
00 Simon 0-
Top answer
0 Well, the problem is that native speakers do not learn our words from the dictionary, we learn stresses from hearing the words. So, if the local pattern is different to the dictionary pattern, there is not much we can do about it. We can't look up every word we know and re-learn it.
- 0 Well, the problem is that native speakers do not learn our words from the dictionary, we learn stresses from hearing the words.
- So, if the local pattern is different to the dictionary pattern, there is not much we can do about it.
- We can't look up every word we know and re-learn it.
- 0-
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
5 Answers
0
0 Well, the problem is that native speakers do not learn our words from the dictionary, we learn stresses from hearing the words. So, if the local pattern is different to the dictionary pattern, there is not much we can do about it. We can't look up every word we know and re-learn it. 0-
00
0 And furthermore, a dictionary is merely a tool, not a user's guide to the language. A dictionary should give examples of use by common consent by native speakers, to facilitate understanding. It is neither a code, nor a rule book. 0-
00
0 Merriam-Webster on-line (www.m-w.com) shows 00 "si-ch&-'wA-sh&n. 02 br
00 Note that the first syllable has a secondary stress. English is characterized by "alternate stress pattern". That is, most English words contain a stress pattern of alternating stressed and unstressed syllables. 01 i 00 situation 02 i 00 is a typical example. Even though the main stre
00 Note that the first syllable has a secondary stress. English is characterized by "alternate stress pattern". That is, most English words contain a stress pattern of alternating stressed and unstressed syllables. 01 i 00 situation 02 i 00 is a typical example. Even though the main stre
00
0 Hi there, 02 br
02 br
00 But for the example 'situation', I found a lot of native speakers will give equal stress on this word 'SitUation', 'EduCation, InforMation' instead of giving secondary stress on the first syllable and the main stress on the third syllable. 02 br
02 br
00 Simon 0-
02 br
00 But for the example 'situation', I found a lot of native speakers will give equal stress on this word 'SitUation', 'EduCation, InforMation' instead of giving secondary stress on the first syllable and the main stress on the third syllable. 02 br
02 br
00 Simon 0-
00
0 Hmmm. You're listening to different native speakers than I am! 05 0 02 br
02 br
00 CJ 010id 1
02 br
00 CJ 010id 1
0
Related Questions