Difference between revisions of "Language/Italian/Pronunciation/The-tonic-accent"

From Polyglot Club WIKI
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Quick edit)
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<div style = "font-size: 300%;"> The tonic accent in Italian </div>
[[File:italian-polyglot-club.jpg|thumb]]
The tonic accent is an emphasis on one syllable of a word.
<div class="pg_page_title">Tonic Accents in Italian</div>
Ciao everybody,


NB: In the examples below in Italian, the emphasis on one syllable is written in '''bold'''.
In this lesson, you will learn about tonic accents in Italian. Tonics accents change the meaning of words and are important for correct pronunciation.
 
The tonic accent is an emphasis on one syllable of a word. In the examples below in Italian, the emphasis on one syllable is written in '''bold'''.


This emphazized syllable is sometimes called a "supporting syllable", because it serves as a support for raising the tone of a word.
This emphazized syllable is sometimes called a "supporting syllable", because it serves as a support for raising the tone of a word.
Line 8: Line 11:
In Italian, the tonic accent can be located on different syllables of a word.
In Italian, the tonic accent can be located on different syllables of a word.


The tonal accent is just as good for tone as it is for rhythm and therefore for harmony: this is probably why the Italian language is considered a singing language.
The tonal accent is just as good for tone as it is for rhythm and therefore for harmony: this is probably why the Italian language is considered a singing language. 😉
 
So if we pronounce the verb "to live" ("abi'''ta'''re") in Italian, the tonic accent is in the penultimate syllable.


On the other hand, if we conjugate this verb to the first person of the present mood (''''a'''bito'), the tonic accent is formed on the first syllable.
So if we pronounce the verb "to live" ("abi'''ta'''re") in Italian, the tonic accent is in the penultimate syllable (the syllable just before the last one).


On the other hand, if we conjugate this verb to the first person of the present tense (''''a'''bito'), the tonic accent is formed on the first syllable.


The words are classified into five groups according to place the tonic accent:
The words are classified into five groups according on where to position the tonic accent:


== <span class = "notranslate">Le parole tronche</span> ==
== <span class="notranslate">'''<u>Le parole tronche</u>'''</span> ==
The words whose emphasis is marked on the last syllable are called "parole tronche":  
The words whose emphasis is marked on the last syllable are called "parole tronche":  
"tronche" comes from the verb 'troncare' which means to cut.  
"tronche" comes from the verb 'troncare' which means to cut.  
Line 23: Line 25:
*Example: 'Citt'''à'''' (city) is the modern version of the word 'cittade' (the last syllable, 'de' having been deleted)
*Example: 'Citt'''à'''' (city) is the modern version of the word 'cittade' (the last syllable, 'de' having been deleted)
'Servit'''ù'''' (servitude) had for the old version the word 'servitude' (the last syllable, 'de' having been removed)
'Servit'''ù'''' (servitude) had for the old version the word 'servitude' (the last syllable, 'de' having been removed)
 
== <span class="notranslate">'''<u>Le parole piane</u>'''</span> ==
== <span class = "notranslate">Le parole piane</span> ==
In the vast majority of Italian words the tonal accent is on the penultimate syllable, as in the example cited above.  
In the vast majority of Italian words the tonal accent is on the penultimate syllable, as in the example cited above.  
These words are called "parole piane":
These words are called "parole piane":
*Example: Chia'''ma'''re (Call) or '''tro'''ppo (too much)
*Example: Chia'''ma'''re (Call) or '''tro'''ppo (too much)
 
== <span class="notranslate">'''<u>Le parole sdrucciole</u>'''</span> ==
== <span class = "notranslate">Le parole sdrucciole</span> ==
When the tonal accent is on the  penultimate syllable, the word is said "parole sdrucciole":
When the tonal accent is on the  penultimate syllable, the word is said "parole sdrucciole":
*Example: '''A'''bito (I live) or '''mu'''sica (music)
*Example: '''A'''bito (I live) or '''mu'''sica (music)
 
=='''<u>Le parole bisdrucciole</u>'''==
== <span class = "notranslate">Le parole bisdrucciole</span> ==
Other words have an emphasis on the third syllable. They are called "parole bisdrucciole":
Other words have an emphasis on the third syllable. They are called "parole bisdrucciole":
*Example: Fi'''lo'''sofo (philosopher) or di'''te'''melo (tell me)
*Example: Fi'''lo'''sofo (philosopher) or di'''te'''melo (tell me)
 
=='''<u>Le parole trisdrucciole</u>'''==
== <span class = "notranslate">Le parole trisdrucciole</span> ==
And finally, more rarely, we find words whose tonic accent is on the fourth syllable.  
And finally, more rarely, we find words whose tonic accent is on the fourth syllable.  
They are called "parole trisdrucciole":
They are called "parole trisdrucciole":
*Example: Indi'''ca'''glielo (tell him) or reci'''ta'''melo (recite it to me)
*Example: Indi'''ca'''glielo (tell him) or reci'''ta'''melo (recite it to me)
=='''Video'''==
<youtube>0VBAS3E_Qco</youtube>
=='''Sources'''==
* http://bravissimi.org/grammaire-italien/prononciation/accents-toniques-graphiques/
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VBAS3E_Qco


 
==Other Lessons==
 
* [[Language/Italian/Pronunciation/Say-Gli|Say Gli]]
==Sources==
* [[Language/Italian/Pronunciation/Alphabet-and-Pronunciation|Alphabet and Pronunciation]]
http://bravissimi.org/grammaire-italien/prononciation/accents-toniques-graphiques/
<span links></span>

Latest revision as of 23:28, 26 March 2023

Italian-polyglot-club.jpg
Tonic Accents in Italian

Ciao everybody,

In this lesson, you will learn about tonic accents in Italian. Tonics accents change the meaning of words and are important for correct pronunciation.

The tonic accent is an emphasis on one syllable of a word. In the examples below in Italian, the emphasis on one syllable is written in bold.

This emphazized syllable is sometimes called a "supporting syllable", because it serves as a support for raising the tone of a word.

In Italian, the tonic accent can be located on different syllables of a word.

The tonal accent is just as good for tone as it is for rhythm and therefore for harmony: this is probably why the Italian language is considered a singing language. 😉

So if we pronounce the verb "to live" ("abitare") in Italian, the tonic accent is in the penultimate syllable (the syllable just before the last one).

On the other hand, if we conjugate this verb to the first person of the present tense ('abito'), the tonic accent is formed on the first syllable.

The words are classified into five groups according on where to position the tonic accent:

Le parole tronche[edit | edit source]

The words whose emphasis is marked on the last syllable are called "parole tronche": "tronche" comes from the verb 'troncare' which means to cut. Indeed, these words have lost, for most of them, a syllable and have inherited a graphic accent:

  • Example: 'Città' (city) is the modern version of the word 'cittade' (the last syllable, 'de' having been deleted)

'Servitù' (servitude) had for the old version the word 'servitude' (the last syllable, 'de' having been removed)

Le parole piane[edit | edit source]

In the vast majority of Italian words the tonal accent is on the penultimate syllable, as in the example cited above. These words are called "parole piane":

  • Example: Chiamare (Call) or troppo (too much)

Le parole sdrucciole[edit | edit source]

When the tonal accent is on the penultimate syllable, the word is said "parole sdrucciole":

  • Example: Abito (I live) or musica (music)

Le parole bisdrucciole[edit | edit source]

Other words have an emphasis on the third syllable. They are called "parole bisdrucciole":

  • Example: Filosofo (philosopher) or ditemelo (tell me)

Le parole trisdrucciole[edit | edit source]

And finally, more rarely, we find words whose tonic accent is on the fourth syllable. They are called "parole trisdrucciole":

  • Example: Indicaglielo (tell him) or recitamelo (recite it to me)

Video[edit | edit source]

Sources[edit | edit source]

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]