accentual system

Meaning

A linguistic framework where the rhythm and structure of speech are primarily determined by the placement of stress or emphasis on specific syllables rather than by the length or pitch of vowels.

Examples

• English is a classic example of an accentual system, contrasting sharply with syllable-timed languages like French.
• Students of linguistics often study how an accentual system influences the way speakers shorten unstressed vowels over time.