The characteristics of stressed syllables
• There are two different ways to determine to characterize stressed syllables: through
production and perception.
• In terms of production, stressed syllables are produced with more muscular energy than
unstressed syllables.
• The muscles that we use to expel air from the lungs are often more active, producing higher
subglottal pressure.
• In terms of perception, experimental studies have shown that many sounds characteristics help
listeners perceive stressed syllables.