accentual etymology

Accentual Etymology

Accentual etymology is a method of determining the origin of words based on their stress patterns. The stress patterns of words can change over time, and this can provide clues about the word's history.

Meaning and Origin

The term "accentual etymology" was coined by the linguist Otto Jespersen in his book "Language: Its Nature, Development and Origin" (1922). Jespersen argued that the stress patterns of words can provide important information about their origin and development.

Process

Accentual etymology involves comparing the stress patterns of words in different languages to determine if there are any similarities. If there are similarities, it suggests that the words may have a common origin.

For example, the English word "father" has a stress pattern of "FA-ther." In German, the word for "father" is "Vater," which also has a stress pattern of "FA-ter." This suggests that the two words may have a common origin.

Limitations

Accentual etymology is not a perfect method of determining word origins. There are many factors that can affect the stress patterns of words, including:

• Changes in pronunciation over time
• The influence of neighboring words
• The speaker's dialect or accent

Conclusion

Accentual etymology is a useful tool for linguists to use when trying to determine the origin of words. However, it is important to be aware of its limitations and to use it in conjunction with other methods of etymology.

accentual relate terms

• accent

  Etymology From Middle English accent borrowed from Old French accent derived from

• rhyme

  Etymology The word rhyme comes from the Old French word rime which in turn derives

• rhythm

  Etymology Old French rithme Latin rhythmus Greek ῥυθμός rhythmos Meaning

• mercy

  Etymology Old French merci Late Latin merces reward payment Proto Indo European

• stigma

  Etymology Greek stigma στίγμα Latin stigma Meaning A mark of disgrac

• providence

  Etymology The word providence comes from the Latin word providentia which means fo

• virus

  Etymology Latin vīrus plural vĭrā Middle English virus Meaning A microscopic

• person

  Etymology Latin persona meaning mask or character in a play Meaning An indiv

• vessel

  Etymology Middle English vessel from Anglo French vaissel vessel from Latin vas ge

• empty

  Etymology The word empty comes from the Middle English word emty which in turn is d