Most dictionaries which give the pronunciation of words also indicate which syllables have stress. For example, Macmillan Dictionary shows that 'party' and 'remember' have stress on only one syllable and that 'controversial' and 'kindergarten' have stress on two syllables; these words show main stress and a secondary one.
The tendency, to avoid stress on adjacent syllables by moving one stress to another syllable is called a stress shift/clash. A simple example is the phrase thirteen men which is usually pronounced ˈθɜːtiːn ˈmen rather than θɜːˈtiːn men.
Words which often have stress shift include: -teen numbers - four'teen, nine'teen; and two-part numbers -- forty-'five, seventy-‘eight; alto'gether, inde'pendent, indi'stinct, medi'ocre, satis'factory, uni'versity, week'end, worth'while; some place names which have main stress on the last syllable, such as: Ber’lin, Montre'al.
Read the following sentences:
- We used to live near the Berlin Wall.
- She's got a job in Berlin.
- I'm working on my pronunciation.
- I'm doing a pronunciation course.
- It was just a routine job.
- The operation was quite routine.
- The book was just political propaganda.
- The region has a Mediterranean climate.
- I love living next to the Mediterranean.
- It cost sixteen euros.
For particular emphasis or contrast, syllables other than those with main or secondary stress can be made prominent. This often happens in conversations.
A: Does the tabletop need washing?
B: No, the tableCLOTH. Though in isolation, the word tablecloth has stress on the thirst syllable.
Now read the following sentences:
A: So we have to take the old footpath? B: No, we take the old footbridge.
A: So you thought the work was precise? B: No, I said it was concise.
A: You've lost your handbook, have you? B: No, I've lost my handbag.
A: Yes, I thought the performance was lifeless, too. B: No, I said I thought it was lifelike
A: I didn't think his findings were very objective. B: No, they were very subjective.
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