suprasegmental
/ˌsuːprəsɛɡˈmɛntəl/
adjective
- Relating to features of speech that affect whole syllables, words, or phrases rather than individual sounds, such as stress, intonation, and rhythm.
- Teachers often focus on suprasegmental aspects of pronunciation to help students sound more natural.
- The suprasegmental patterns of a language, such as pitch and loudness, carry emotional meaning.
- In English, stress is a suprasegmental feature that can change the meaning of a word, like 'record' as a noun versus 'record' as a verb.
Synonyms
noun
- A suprasegmental feature of speech, such as stress, tone, or intonation.
- Linguists study suprasegmentals to understand how speakers convey emphasis and attitude.
- The suprasegmentals of a sentence, like rising intonation for questions, are crucial for clear communication.
- When learning a new language, mastering its suprasegmentals can be more challenging than learning individual sounds.