Secondary stress, also sometimes referred to as secondary accent, is the weaker of the two levels of stress that can be found in the pronunciation of a word. The other, stronger level is called the primary stress.
Understanding Stress in Pronunciation
In spoken language, we don't pronounce each syllable with the same emphasis. We emphasize some syllables more than others, and this emphasis is called stress. The two main types of stress are:
- Primary Stress: The strongest emphasis within a word.
- Secondary Stress: A weaker emphasis, but still noticeable.
Key Differences Between Primary and Secondary Stress
| Feature | Primary Stress | Secondary Stress |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Strongest emphasis in the word | Weaker emphasis than primary stress |
| Pronunciation | Syllable is pronounced louder and clearer | Syllable is pronounced with less force |
| Symbol | Often marked with a raised line (ˈ) before the syllable | Often marked with a lowered line (ˌ) before the syllable |
Practical Insights and Examples
Secondary stress often appears in longer words, helping to make the pronunciation smoother and easier to understand. It helps to maintain a rhythm in speech.
- Consider the word ˌphotograˈphic
- The primary stress is on the second syllable 'graph', as indicated by ˈ.
- The secondary stress is on the first syllable 'pho', as indicated by ˌ.
- In the word ˌafterˈnoon,
- The primary stress is on 'noon'.
- The secondary stress is on 'af'.
Significance of Secondary Stress
Secondary stress is important because:
- It contributes to the overall rhythm of spoken language.
- It helps distinguish between similar-sounding words.
- It provides a structure for pronouncing long and complex words.
Conclusion
Secondary stress is a crucial aspect of phonetics, allowing for nuanced and understandable speech. It represents a level of emphasis that, although weaker than primary stress, plays a vital role in the way words are articulated.
