3.1 Фоне́тика – Word Stress

Word stress is one of several phonological elements that requires careful attention. Getting word stress right is very important when speaking any language. Misplacing stress in a any language can lead to misunderstanding and confusion or may just be perceived as an accent. You may have encountered this in your own life!

In Russian, as in English, all words carry stress.

There is typically one syllable in each word that receives the primary, or loudest, stress. In English, other syllables can receive secondary and even tertiary stress.

For example: Àbsolútely

The word, ‘Absolutely!’ receives primary stress on the penultimate (second to last) syllable and secondary stress on the initial syllable.

In Russian, however, there is only ONE stressed syllable per word. There is no secondary stress. Further, where stress often falls on the penultimate syllable in English, there is no obvious pattern in Russian. It is complex and often word stress must simply be MEMORIZED for MOST WORDS!

As in English, word stress can be the only element that distinguishes two words for meaning. If you misplace stress in this case, the word will be understood but not the meaning you intended.

For example: мука́ (flour) vs. му́ка (torture)

Practice

Can you identify stress in a word?

The answer is yes, you absolutely can, although you may not realize it at first.

If you aren’t sure, one fun and easy test in English is an infixation rule. English speakers have an uncanny ability to infix, or insert, a word, like freaking, into a word or word phrase, like absolutely, fantastic, or ridiculous (among many, many others).

Try it:

Where do you infix this word? If you’re like most speakers, you put it just before the stressed (primary) syllable.

“Absolutely!”
Ab.so.freakin.lúte.ly

“Fantastic!”
Fan.freakin.tás.tic!

“Ridiculous!”
Ri.freakin.dí.cu.lous!

What about a word like awesome? You probably would say ‘freakin’ awesome!’ Why? The same rule applies. It’s just that the stressed syllable in awesome happens to be the first syllable.

There is one notable exception to this rule. For some reason, the word unbelievable does not follow this pattern. Most people would say un.freakin.be.líe.vea.ble with the infixation just after after the ‘un’ prefix. If you are interested in an analysis as to why, a Wikipedia page cites  John McCarthy’s explanation. And if you get it, feel free to explain it to me.