Here is a quick & easy tip for pronouncing compound nouns correctly. ✔

When you are speaking American English, you need to stress compound nouns on the first syllable.

• SOFTware
• WEEKend
• WORKforce
• NEWSpaper
• PRINTout (noun)

Many of the Hindi & Telegu speakers who I work with in my accent reduction coaching program don’t stress compound nouns correctly.

That’s because they never learned this rule!

Once they understand that compound nouns are stressed (with pitch emphasis) on the first syllable, they do this correctly (after a bit of practice of course).

You must increase both the volume & the pitch on the first syllable order to get that “American” sound.

Spoken English has specific rules for how to stress nouns & verbs. This is one feature of American English that I always cover thoroughly in my accent reduction coaching program.

If you want to learn more…..listen to this great audio story from the VOA on pronouncing compound words in American English.