{"id":1245,"date":"2010-08-16T10:00:02","date_gmt":"2010-08-16T10:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=1245"},"modified":"2014-07-17T13:28:06","modified_gmt":"2014-07-17T13:28:06","slug":"stressed-about-word-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/stressed-about-word-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"Stressed About Word Stress?"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Are you struggling with stresses in Russian words? Well, don\u2019t feel alone. You\u2019ve got plenty of company. The issue of improperly stressed words affects native speakers of Russian, including such well-educated and highly trained professionals as \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0443<\/span>\u0449\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [TV anchors]. Add to the mix politicians who constantly entertain their \u00ab<\/strong>\u044d\u043b\u0435\u043a\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [voters] with \u00ab<\/strong>\u043b\u044f<\/span>\u043f\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [bloopers] and commercials that disregard correct stress and the situation quickly gets out of control.<\/p>\n

Still, \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [correct stress in words] is a sign of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0443\u043b\u044c\u0442\u0443<\/span>\u0440\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [a cultured person].<\/p>\n

So why is it so hard even for the native speakers to get it right? Well, it\u2019s a \u201cgood news, bad news\u201d situation. The bad news is that stress in Russian words doesn\u2019t follow any kind of pattern. Some call it \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u043e\u0431\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [free stress] (Russia might rank low on the World Freedom Score<\/a>, but \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u0435 <\/strong>\u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435 – <\/strong>\u0441\u0430<\/span>\u043c\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u043e\u0431\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u043c\u0438<\/span>\u0440\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [our stress is the freest stress in the world]). Others call it \u00ab\u043d\u0435\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0441\u043a\u0430\u0437\u0443<\/span>\u0435\u043c\u043e\u0435 \u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [unpredictable stress].<\/p>\n

The good news is the fact that \u00ab<\/strong>\u044d<\/span><\/strong>\u0442\u043e <\/strong>\u0443\u0441\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0439\u0447\u0438\u0432\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb,<\/strong> meaning that it doesn\u2019t move within the same word, meaning that once you memorize where the stress belongs in a particular word, you\u2019re set for life. \u00ab\u041d\u043e \u044d<\/span>\u0442\u043e – \u0442\u0435\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u0438\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [but that\u2019s theory].<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u041d\u0430 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u043a\u0442\u0438\u043a\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [In real life], it would be entirely out of character for the Russian language to have grammar rules without exceptions. Russians learn from the youngest age that \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0442 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u043b <\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0437 <\/strong>\u0438\u0441\u043a\u043b\u044e\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0439, <\/strong>\u043d\u043e <\/strong>\u0435<\/span><\/strong>\u0441\u0442\u044c <\/strong>\u0438\u0441\u043a\u043b\u044e\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f <\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0437 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u043b\u00bb<\/strong> [there are no rules without exceptions, but there are exceptions without rules].<\/p>\n

By the way, you\u2019ll see the adverb \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0430\u043a <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u043b\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [as a rule] used quite often, as in this headline<\/a>: \u00ab<\/strong>\u0425\u043e\u0437\u044f<\/span>\u0435\u0432\u0430 <\/strong>\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0448\u0435\u043a, <\/strong>\u043a\u0430\u043a <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u043b\u043e, <\/strong>\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0437\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u0430\u043d\u043d\u0435\u0435 <\/strong>\u0445\u043e\u0437\u044f<\/span>\u0435\u0432 <\/strong>\u0441\u043e\u0431\u0430<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [As a rule, cat owners are more educated than dog owners]. If you happen to be \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u043b\u0430\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u0435\u0446 <\/strong>\u0441\u043e\u0431\u0430<\/span>\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [a dog owner], don\u2019t get upset, just remember that \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0442 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u043b <\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0437 <\/strong>\u0438\u0441\u043a\u043b\u044e\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0439\u00bb. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u041d\u043e <\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u0440\u043d\u0451<\/span>\u043c\u0441\u044f <\/strong>\u043a <\/strong>\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u0438\u043c <\/strong>\u0431\u0430\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0430\u043c\u00bb<\/strong> [But let\u2019s get back to where we were]\u2026 Some of the exceptions from the rule include the following words:<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0414\u0435<\/span>\u0432\u0438\u0447\u0438\u0439\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0435\u0432\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u0438\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [maidenly]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0418\u0437\u0434\u0430\u043b\u0435\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0438\u0437\u0434\u0430\u043b\u0451<\/span>\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [from afar]<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u041e\u0431\u0435\u0441\u043f\u0435<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb – <\/strong>\u00ab\u043e\u0431\u0435\u0441\u043f\u0435\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [provisioning]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0422\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u043e\u0433\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u0432\u043e\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0433\u00bb<\/strong> [cottage cheese]<\/p>\n

and a few others<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s a tiny minority of Russian words, 4%. The vast majority of words in Russian language, 96% if I did my math right,\u00a0conform to the rule of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0443\u0441\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0439\u0447\u0438\u0432\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [stable stress], yet still get mispronounced.<\/p>\n

One of the reasons is differences in regional pronunciation.\u00a0\u00ab\u0414\u0438\u0430\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u043a\u0442\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [dialects] account for some of the most common differences in placing the stress. For example, folks from Northern Russia tend to place stress at the beginning of the words, such as in \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u043e<\/span>\u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> instead of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> [agreement] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430<\/span>\u043f\u0430\u0441\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> instead of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u043f\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [misfortune].<\/p>\n

Southerners, on the other hand, favor the endings of the words, frequently changing them in the process, as in \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u044b\u0431\u043e\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> instead of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u044b<\/span>\u0431\u043e\u0440\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [elections], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> instead of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [agreements], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> instead of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [means], \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u043d\u044f<\/span>\u043b\u00bb<\/strong> instead of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u044f\u043b\u00bb<\/strong> [understood].<\/p>\n

It is also important that \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0432\u0441\u0435\u0434\u043d\u0435<\/span>\u0432\u043d\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u0440\u0435\u0447\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [everyday speech] tends to be more \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0431\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u0430\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [careless], resulting in such \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u044b\u0442\u043e\u0432\u044b<\/span>\u0435 <\/strong>\u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [household stress] as\u00a0\u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0448\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> instead of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0432\u043e\u043d\u0438<\/span>\u0448\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [calling], \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0446\u0435\u043d\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> instead of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0446\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [percent], and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0440\u0430\u0441\u0438\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> instead of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0440\u0430\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u0432\u0435\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [more beautiful]. Such carelessness frequently becomes deeply ingrained and makes its way even into more formal speech.<\/p>\n

Finally, foreign borrowings bring their own share of havoc as in \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u043a\u0435\u0442\u0438\u043d\u0433\u00bb<\/strong> vs \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u0430\u0440\u043a\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0438\u043d\u0433\u00bb,<\/strong> \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0430\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u043e\u0433\u00bb<\/strong> vs \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0430\u0442\u0430\u043b\u043e<\/span>\u0433\u00bb<\/strong> [catalog], etc.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, you can always check the proper stress by looking up each word in \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u0440\u0444\u043e\u044d\u043f\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [orthoepic dictionary]. If you don\u2019t have one handy, use this online version<\/a> (enter the word into the \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u043a\u0430 <\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [word check] field and hit the \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0438\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [check it] button).<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t mind memorizing a dozen or so words (of course you don\u2019t!), here\u2019s a list, with proper stress, of some of the most frequently mangled ones:<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u0442\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [cakes]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [bows]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u0442\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [ports]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [reservations], but \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0440\u043e\u043d\u044f<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [armor]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0430\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [to spoil]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u0440\u043e\u0438\u0441\u043f\u043e\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [religious belief]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0432\u0438<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [enviably]<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u0437\u0443\u0431\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [toothed or cogged]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0438<\/span><\/strong>\u0441\u043a\u0440\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [spark]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u043f\u0430\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [to scoop] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0438\u0441\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u043f\u0430\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [to exhaust]<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u043a\u0438\u043b\u043e\u043c\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> [kilometer]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043b\u043e\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [slice]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u043f\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [bulk]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0451<\/span>\u043a\u043b\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [beetroot]<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u0449\u0430\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [sorrel]<\/p>\n

Finally, I started this post fully intent on explaining the mystery of the word \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0441\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043d\u0446\u0438<\/span>\u043f\u043d\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [unprincipled]. Why would the stress fall on the last \u00ab<\/strong>\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> even though it falls on the first \u00ab<\/strong>\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> in the word \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0446\u0438\u043f\u00bb<\/strong> [principle]. Before you read any further – what follows is not for the faint-hearted.<\/p>\n

You see, the adjective \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0441\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043d\u0446\u0438<\/span>\u043f\u043d\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> is formed by adding both the prefix \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0437\u00bb<\/strong> [without] and a suffix \u00ab-<\/strong>\u043d\u00bb<\/strong> to the root noun \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0446\u0438\u043f\u00bb.<\/strong> At the same time, there is another adjective formed from the same root, but without prefix – \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043d\u0446\u0438\u043f\u0438\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [principled]. These two facts combine to make \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0441\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043d\u0446\u0438<\/span>\u043f\u043d\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> a so-called \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0444\u0438\u043a\u0441\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e-<\/strong>\u0441\u0443\u0444\u0444\u0438\u043a\u0441\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043b\u0430\u0433\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [prefix-suffix type adjective]. Besides, this is a \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043b\u0430\u0433\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0430\u043a\u0446\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u043d\u043e\u0433\u043e <\/strong>\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u043f\u0430 <\/strong>\u0410\u00bb<\/strong> [accent type A adjective].<\/p>\n

Are you still with me? So, there\u2019s actually a rule (here we go again) that says that in the prefix-suffix adjectives of accent type A the stress must fall on the same vowel as in the root word. Hah! Shouldn\u2019t it be \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0441\u043f\u0440\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0446\u0438\u043f\u043d\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> then? No way! Because\u2026 drum roll, please\u2026 this particular word is a good old exception to the rule! I told you, didn\u2019t I?!<\/p>\n

And now, with a major headache, I depart\u00a0to “sleep, perchance to dream”,\u00a0of someone sending me \u00ab<\/strong>\u044d\u043a\u0441\u043f\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0442\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u043e\u0431\u044a\u044f\u0441\u043d\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0430\u043a\u0446\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u043d\u044b\u0445 <\/strong>\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u043f\u043e\u0432\u00bb<\/strong> [expert explanation of accent types], please!<\/p>\n

P.S. If you are interested in learning more about the state of things in Russian orthoepia, listen to this episode of a podcast<\/a> (it’s in Russian) I recently came across.\u00a0 If you like what you hear, get more of “\u0413\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0440\u0438\u043c \u043f\u043e-\u0440\u0443\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438”<\/strong> [Speaking Russian] podcasts here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Are you struggling with stresses in Russian words? Well, don\u2019t feel alone. You\u2019ve got plenty of company. The issue of improperly stressed words affects native speakers of Russian, including such well-educated and highly trained professionals as \u00ab\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0443\u0449\u0438\u0435\u00bb [TV anchors]. Add to the mix politicians who constantly entertain their \u00ab\u044d\u043b\u0435\u043a\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0430\u0442\u00bb [voters] with \u00ab\u043b\u044f\u043f\u044b\u00bb [bloopers] and…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":1246,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[8,7828],"tags":[1154,1237,1248],"class_list":["post-1245","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language","category-russian-for-beginners","tag-mistakes-in-russian-grammar","tag-russian-grammar","tag-russian-language"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1245"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6189,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1245\/revisions\/6189"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}