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This question is probably simple, but the rule behind it may apply generally.

My assumption is:

If the end of a word duplicate the beginning of the next word, the beginning of the next word should be stressed. Pronounce with no stress otherwise.

Sorry for that I am not familiar with academic terminologies of spoken English. Hopes anyone could tell me if I am correct about this and give more information on it. Thanks in advance.

Swa1n Suen
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1 Answers1

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Let me give you a simple example.

Compare:

  1. better late than never

and

  1. better late than ever

What do you think the difference is between 1 and 2?

The N in the first sentence a little bit longer than that in the second sentence (i.e. the N is geminated). If you don't geminate it, you will end up with '....than ever.'

In case sensitive, the first S is geminated, whereas in k-sensitive, it's not.

Your assumption is correct for some words, but that's not necessary. For instance, room-mate, fish shop and cat tail are stressed on the first syllable, not the second:

  • [ˈɹuːm.meɪt]
  • [ˈfɪʃ.ʃɒp]
  • [ˈkæt̚teɪl]

Another example would be unnamed; if you don't geminate the N, you'll end up with un-aimed.

Void
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  • Thanks for your explanation. I guess germination is a kind of [linking](https://pronuncian.com/introduction-to-linking). Am I right? – Swa1n Suen Dec 12 '20 at 05:54
  • @swa1nsuen: Yes, you're right. Read the Wikipedia article I linked to in my answer. (It's Gemination, though, not *ge**r**mination*.) – Void Dec 12 '20 at 05:58
  • Nice catch :) I had typed it wrong all the time from hours ago :( – Swa1n Suen Dec 12 '20 at 06:03
  • @swa1nsuen: Happened to me too... I was searching Gemination and my phone auto-corrected it to ge**r**mination – Void Dec 12 '20 at 06:07