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English Word Stress in the Post-Nuclear Position

Published/Copyright: November 13, 2009

Abstract

Stress oppositions between words like import ≠ import are audible in the nucleus of intonation contours where they are distinguished by fundamental frequency. In the post-nuclear position the opposition is neutralized; the two stresses are identical in terms of fundamental frequency, but measurably different in terms of intensity and duration. Listeners’ reactions are not random, though: those syllables which fit into a regular sequence of stressed and unstressed syllables are interpreted as stressed and unstressed, respectively. Speech production is also influenced by sentence rhythm: syllables which correspond to the general rhythmic pattern have greater duration and intensity. But listeners do not perceive these modifications.


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Published Online: 2009-11-13
Published in Print: 1978-03-01

© 1978 S. Karger AG, Basel

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