Stress, Pronunciation, Accent Marks
Spanish is a highly consistent written language. Every word that is written correctly in Spanish can be pronounced correctly, even without knowledge of itsmeaning, based on orthographic (spelling) rules. However, it is important to remember that language is spoken first and then written. You must know how a word is pronounced in order to use or omit an accent correctly in Spanish writing. In reading, however, you merely follow the rules. Any exception to the rules will carry a written accent mark. There are no random accent marks in Spanish. The use of any and every accent mark has a justification based on the rules.
How you pronounce a specific word is determined by two basic rules of stress. Written accents to indicate stress are only needed when those rules are violated. The two rules are as follows:
Rule 1: If a word ends in a vowel, n, or s, the natural stress falls on the second to last (aka penultimate) syllable. The letter y is not considered a vowel for purposes of assigning stress.
Ejemplos: pe rro ha blan tar je tas ca ma
Rule 2: If a word ends in anything other than a vowel, n, or s, the natural stress falls on the last syllable.
Ejemplos: hab lar pap el di fi cul tad es toy
Note that words that are stressed on any syllable other than the last or penultimate (second to last) will always show a written accent.
To sum up the above rules:Does the word end in a, e, i, o, u, n, or s?
o If the answer is “yes” and it is not stressed on the penultimate syllable, a written accent is required.
o If the answer is no and it is not stressed on the last syllable, a written accent is required.
And then there’s the issue of a diphthong.....
Diphthongs and Breaking a Diphthong
Another use of the accent is to break a diphthong. Diphthongs are the combining of a strong vowel (a,e,o) with a weak vowel (i, u) or two weak vowels into a one syllable sound:
Examples: seis ha cia ju nio mie do ciu dad
If a strong and weak vowel appear together but do not form a syllable, the weak vowel carries a written accent to break the diphthong.
Examples: ma íz dí a ha bí a gus ta rí a ac tú o