Phrasal Stress

Explaining the distinction between phrasal and lexical stress, Duffell (2008: 19) states: “Stress is assigned to the most important syllable in every phrase, when it is termed phrasal stress”. This means that in a phrase, as well as in a word, stress can be defined as the relative prominence of a syllable in a sequence (Attridge 1982: 62-67). The number and level of stresses in a phrase varies and thus creates a stress pattern specific for the concrete utterance (Tarlinskaja 1976: 2).

For a clarification of the connection between phrasal stress, meter, ictus, non-ictus and stress, have a look at this diagram.

For more on phrasal stress, cf. e.g. Tarlinskaja (1976. 60-63).

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