In English, we do not pronounce each syllable with the same force or strength. In one word, we accentuate ONE syllable. We pronounce ONE syllable a bit louder than the other syllables. In dictionaries, it is shown by this sign: ( ‘ )
Let’s take 3 words:
photograph /‘fəʊtəˌɡrɑːf/
Photographer /fə‘tɒɡrəfə(r)/
Photographic /ˌfəʊtə‘ɡræfɪk/
Note that this happens in ALL words with more than one syllable.
teacher /‘tiːtʃə(r)/
demand /dɪ‘mænd/
China /‘tʃaɪnə/
conversation /ˌkɒnvə(r) ‘seɪʃ(ə)n/
interesting /‘ɪntrəstɪŋ/
above /ə‘bʌv/
amazing /ə‘meɪzɪŋ/
Japan /dʒə‘pæn/
Japanese /ˌdʒæpə‘niːz/
identify /aɪ‘dentɪfaɪ/
important /ɪm‘pɔː(r)t(ə)nt/
The syllables that are not stressed are weak or small or quiet.
There are two very important rules about word stress:
1.One word, one stress.
Eat /iːt/
Drink /drɪŋk/
Sign /saɪn/
Well /wel/
2.The stress is always on a vowel.