accent mark
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A diacritical mark (a small sign added to a letter) used in writing to indicate either the stress (emphasis) on a syllable in a word or a special pronunciation of a vowel.
Usage
- The primary function of an accent mark is to provide pronunciation guidance within the written form of a word.
- It is placed directly above the letter it modifies (e.g., é, è, ñ, ç).
- The specific type of accent mark (e.g., acute, grave, tilde, cedilla) determines the exact pronunciation or stress instruction.
Examples
- In the French word "café," the accent mark (an acute accent) on the 'e' changes its pronunciation.
- The Spanish word "niño" uses a tilde (~) as an accent mark over the 'n'.
- In dictionaries, an accent mark is often used to show which syllable is stressed, as in the entry for "record" (verb: re-cord').
Advanced Usage
- Distinguishing Homographs: In some languages, an accent mark can distinguish between words that are otherwise spelled the same. For example, in Spanish, "si" (if) and "sí" (yes).
- Historical or Etymological Marker: An accent mark can sometimes indicate a historical letter that has been dropped or a change in the word's origin.
Variants and Related Words
- Diacritic / Diacritical Mark: The broader category of marks that includes accent marks, as well as other signs like umlauts (ë) and rings (å).
- Stress Mark: A type of accent mark used specifically to indicate syllabic stress.
- Accent (in linguistic contexts): Can be synonymous with accent mark, but more generally refers to patterns of stress and intonation in speech.
Synonyms
- Diacritic
- Diacritical mark
Related Phrases
- To place an accent mark: To add the mark to a letter.
- You must place an accent mark over the 'e' in "résumé."
- To bear an accent mark: Describes a letter that has the mark.
- The letter 'ñ' in Spanish bears an accent mark called a tilde.
Noun
- a diacritical mark used to indicate stress or placed above a vowel to indicate a special pronunciation