THE ROLE OF SUPRASEGMENTALS IN ENGLISH: STRESS, INTONATION, AND RHYTHM

This article explores the critical role of suprasegmentals—stress, intonation, and rhythm—in spoken English. It highlights how these features extend beyond individual sounds to shape meaning, convey emotion, and structure speech. Stress is examined at both the word and sentence levels, demonstrating its impact on meaning and emphasis. Intonation is discussed in terms of pitch patterns, showing its function in expressing mood, sentence types, and speaker attitudes. Rhythm, characterized by English's stress-timed nature, is presented as essential for natural speech flow. The article underscores the importance of suprasegmentals for effective communication, particularly for non-native speakers seeking fluency and clarity. It concludes by emphasizing the transformative power of these elements in fostering connection and enhancing linguistic expression.