The stress in compound and polysyllabic words

THE SCANDENT HEAD, ITS USAGE AND MODAL MEANING

The Scandent Head is formed by a sequence of “climbs”, that is upward pitch changes corresponding to each rhythmic group. If the rhythmic group consists of a stressed syllable only, the climb is realized on this syllable. If there are unstressed syllables following the stressed one, the climb takes place on these, not on the stressed syllable:

e.g.: I can’t stand the ‘heat.

This head expresses a wide range of emotions, usually itensifying the meaning of the nuclear tone. It may sound encouraging and reassuring in combination with Low Rise:

Try a‚gain.

Don’t for get your ‚lunch.

With High Rise it sounds surprised:

e.g.: I’ve been at the football match today. – Haven’t you been to the ‛library?

With High Fall this head sounds cheerful and admiring or irritated:

e.g.: I’m not going to promise ‘anything.

Women use this head more frequently than men. Patterns with the Scandent Head are often used in telling fairy tales.