STRESS PATTERNS IN ENGLISH: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRITISH AND AMERICAN PRONUNCIATIONS

Abstract

 This paper investigates the stress patterns in English, focusing on the differences between British and American pronunciations. English, as a global lingua franca, presents considerable phonetic variation across its dialects, with stress placement being a key distinguishing feature. The study explores how stress affects meaning, rhythm, and intelligibility and examines systematic variations between the two major varieties of English. Using a mixed-method approach that includes phonological analysis, acoustic measurements, and speaker surveys, this research delineates patterns of divergence and convergence. Findings reveal significant differences in stress placement on multisyllabic words, compound nouns, and verb-noun pairs, influencing both comprehension and language teaching. The paper concludes with implications for educators, linguists, and learners aiming to master English pronunciation.