How do you separate syllables in words? How do you know which syllable is stressed?

Question

Unlike the English language, words in my language are pronounced as they are written.

How do you separate syllables in a word?
What exactly is strees?
How do you know which syllabe in a word is stressed?
Are there any rules for stress?

Answer 1

Let's see if I can help without being confusing...

syl·la·ble Audio pronunciation of "syllable" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sl-bl)
n.

1.
1. A unit of spoken language consisting of a single uninterrupted sound formed by a vowel, diphthong, or syllabic consonant alone, or by any of these sounds preceded, followed, or surrounded by one or more consonants.
2. One or more letters or phonetic symbols written or printed to approximate a spoken syllable.
2. The slightest bit of spoken or written expression: Do not alter a syllable of this message.
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If I were to take a stab... it seems that English separates syllables most commonly by consonnant/vowel. So, for example:

Thrombosis. Throm - Bo - Sis Divided by vowels.
Consonant. Con - so -nant Divided by vowels.

==========(stress)
# Linguistics.

1. The relative force with which a sound or syllable is spoken.
2. The emphasis placed on the sound or syllable spoken most forcefully in a word or phrase.
1. The relative force of sound or emphasis given a syllable or word in accordance with a metrical pattern.
2. A syllable having strong relative emphasis in a metrical pattern.
Accent or a mark representing such emphasis or force.

There are going to be variations in how words are pronounced in different sections of the country, which in turn, means the stresses placed on syllables in words may vary. I'll try to give an example...

Midwest: Park
South: paRk
Northeast: pArk (paaaak)

All meaning a place to play. We have the dictionary with the words pronounced in the most acceptable way in order to give consensus to all as to the correct way to say a word - but there will be variations.

The best way to figure out stress, then, would be to consult the dictionary and look at the pronunciation key.

So far as I know, there isn't a definative rule for stress. In your everyday speech, it will just flow with what area you live in and how people around you say the word.

Hope that helped and didn't confuse you more. ;)

Answer 2

I have always found that a good source for pronunciation is the dictionary. This might sound boring but there is more in there than you you'll ever need to use. First off- use a Websters and not Collegiate or other wannabees. Second-you will find the word broken up in syllables and the accent to show which one to stress. I have quite a few friends that are always (mis)using big words to impress and point out to them that they are either saying it wrong or just misusing it all together. I am glad though that you are taking the time to excel in language skills because that should open up many doors as communication skills are vital for success in every facet. Good luck in your personal growth in communicative skills.

Answer 3

When you say a word, put your hand about one half inch below your chin. Every time your chin touches your hand, that's a syllable.

Try saying the word "evaporate". Each time your jaw drops, it's a syllable. E-va-po-rate.

As far as I know, there are no rules to stressing syllables.

One way I enjoy learning a new language is to watch a movie in that language. I will pick a scene I enjoy and try to memorize the lines (words). Then I will try to say it exactly as the actors do. Once a scene is perfected, I pick another.


Good luck!

Answer 4

Unfortunately, words in the English language differs from one another, in terms of which syllables you stress on. Check a dictionary if you are unsure, and learn from trial and error.

Answer 5

This may sound odd, but in elementary school we were told to clap it out to figure out the number of sylables. It is a hard concept to explain, but f you try it with a longer word, it may make sense. I don't really know if there are rules for stress. I have lived many places, and it seems a regional/personal thing.

Answer 6

Syllables are marked by the vowel sound they possess. It is the vowel sound not the vowel letters. For instance, try, cry, fly are one syllable words though they dont have the vowel letter a,e,i,o,u. How? This is where phenetic scripts play their role. In some dictionaries you must have seen some letters within slashes by the side of the word. That is phonetic script. The script for try is /trai/, /Krai/ for cry and /flai/ for fly. In these words two vowel letters combine to form the vowel sound. Such combinations are called diphthongs meaning the sound glides from one vowel sound to another. So syllables are divided based on the vowel sound.
Marking stress varies according to the meaning one wants to convey. For eg. I LIKE TEA. if u stress on 'I' the emphasis is on the person. If 'tea' is stressed, it means I like or prefer tea to any other drink. If stress is on 'like' It means who told that I dont like tea. I like tea. We have to place stress on the word in the sentence that has to be taken seriously.