The strong and
weak syllables of English result in a rhythm that is similar to the rhythm
of music. The strong (stressed) syllables are like the beat in music.
Strong syllables are long. Weak syllables are usually short. Strong syllables
usually have weak ones around them, but if two strong ones occur together,
they are said just as slowly as if they did have weak ones around them.
Look at the following
examples:
(a dot = short, a dash = long)
· —
· —
· —
result
detect
confuse
— ·
— ·
— ·
final
science
table
· — ·
· — ·
· — ·
computer
in Sydney
distribute
— · ·
— · ·
— · ·
absolute
tentative
chemistry
· — · ·
· — · ·
· — · ·
infanticide
it's terrible
impossible
— · · —
— · —
— —
Give me a break!
Run along!
Mind out
— —
— —
Get lost!
Don't know!
Marking rhythm in sentences
Find
out the strong and weak beats in the following limerick. Then try to work
out the rhythm (which is characteristic of a limerick) and practise reading
it.
There was a young
student called Billy
Who really was terribly silly
He ate a whole pig
And became far too big
And that was the end of poor Billy
Language Center
Marking rhythm in sentences