Stress:
* Refers to the emphasis placed on a particular syllable within a word. This emphasis is usually achieved by making that syllable louder, longer, and/or higher in pitch.
* Is a feature of all languages. Every language has rules about which syllable in a word is stressed, although these rules can vary widely.
* Is a crucial part of understanding a word. The stress pattern can change the meaning of a word (e.g., "import" vs. "import").
Accent:
* Refers to the distinctive pronunciation of a language, often characterized by specific sounds, intonation patterns, and rhythm.
* Is influenced by a speaker's geographical location, social group, or even individual characteristics.
* Is a broader concept than stress. While stress is a feature of individual words, accent is a feature of an entire language or dialect.
Here's an analogy:
Think of stress as a spotlight that shines on one particular syllable in a word. Accent, on the other hand, is like the stage lighting for the entire play. It affects the overall sound and feel of the language.
Examples:
* Stress: In the word "photograph," the stress falls on the second syllable ("pho-to-graph"). Changing the stress to the first syllable ("PHOTO-graph") would change the meaning.
* Accent: A British accent might pronounce the word "tomato" as "to-MAH-to," while an American accent might pronounce it as "to-MAY-to."
In summary:
* Stress is about the emphasis within a word.
* Accent is about the overall pronunciation of a language.
Both stress and accent are important features of language that contribute to its sound and meaning.