English Pronunciation Tip of the Day
Tip 86
Category:
Stress
Author: JAM
Compound stress (2)
In Tip 64 we saw that there are exceptions to the rule that the main stress falls within the first noun of a noun+noun compound. Here is another group of exceptions (main stress only marked):
city centre = /sIti "sent@/
town hall = /taUn "hO:l/
village green = /vIlIdZ "gri:n/
These compounds are all names of places and the second noun belongs to, or is part of, the place referred to by the first noun. Compare these with compounds like leisure centre, exhibition hall, bowling green, where the main stress falls within the first noun.