Primary Stress Placement: Difference between Theory and Practice

Abstract

This study is based on the assumption that, in every department of human thought, theory and practice are mutually related, and, hence, made an investigation into primary stress placement among Nigerian users of English, to determine difference between learning and practice . This is because Nigerian English (NE) exists and its peculiar different patterns of stress have been identified as different patterns from the Standard British English (SBE) patterns taught in Nigerian schools. The respondents for the study were randomly selected, but stratified into three categories, from those that have studied English Language as an area of specialization at the university level; the categories were final-year students of English, Master's students of English, and teachers of English Language in secondary schools. The analysis of the findings, which was based on simple percentage, showed that differences occur between the pattern they mark in writing and the pattern that occur in their speech. That's, while the respondents indicated the SBE primary stress pattern in writing, they articulated the NE primary stress pattern in their speech.