Secondary stress is a specific kind of stress and intonation that is subjugated to another primary stress within a specific multisyllabic word.
Thus the primary stress is the most stressed syllable in a word, and the secondary stress is the next most intensely stressed syllable.
Linguists and other experts use primary and secondary stress along with other stress elements, such as tertiary tress, unstressed syllables, and other elements of language that have to do with the overall tone and cadence of language.
Considering primary and secondary stress in words, experts have identified various kinds of stress and intonation that may serve as primary or secondary stresses. One of these is called informational or “tonic” stress, where the pitch of the voice may indicate stress for a syllable. Another is sometimes called “true” or “phonemic” stress, where respiratory changes may produce the stress changes.
Thus the primary stress is the most stressed syllable in a word, and the secondary stress is the next most intensely stressed syllable.
Linguists and other experts use primary and secondary stress along with other stress elements, such as tertiary tress, unstressed syllables, and other elements of language that have to do with the overall tone and cadence of language.
Considering primary and secondary stress in words, experts have identified various kinds of stress and intonation that may serve as primary or secondary stresses. One of these is called informational or “tonic” stress, where the pitch of the voice may indicate stress for a syllable. Another is sometimes called “true” or “phonemic” stress, where respiratory changes may produce the stress changes.