English
is a stress-timed language. In 80
percent of English words, the major stress is on the first syllable.
Stressed
syllables occur at relatively regular intervals in sentences, usually in either
a 4-beat or an 8-beat pattern.
More
important words and syllables are stressed while others are quickly glided
over, sometimes becoming inaudible.
(This is different from syllabic languages such as French and Japanese,
in which all syllables are equally important.)
Clear English pronunciation requires attention to stress, articulation, pitch, intonation, pace and volume.