Dipthongs, accents and stress

Question

Do I consider all vowel dipthongs (ai, ia, io, etc.) as one vowel when determining where to put the stress? Does it matter if it is a combination of 2 strong vowels vs 1 strong/1 weak. For example, I have always pronounced the word "hacia" with the stress on the "i". I had treated the last two vowels as separate syllables, and so stressed the second to the last. I now question this, since, as an example, "día" has a tilde where, under my original thinking, it would not require one as the "i" would already be stressed as the second to last syllable.

I'm rambling, and maybe answering my own question. Just want to see if I need to change my thought process on these words.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Good question! - --Mariana--, Dec 3, 2009

Answer 1

Good question.

A true diphthong means by definition that it is a single syllable, like the one-syllable sound the 'ie' makes in 'diez' (sounds like the English word 'yes'). So the short answer to your question is, Yes, consider all diphthongs 'as one vowel.'

However the accent mark is what distinguishes a true diphthong from two vowels that have their own syllable. You gave a good example. "Hacia" (two syllables total) means "toward" but there is also the word "hacía" (with accent on "í", three syllables total) and this is a form of the verb "hacer".

perfect - 00494d19, Dec 3, 2009

Answer 2

Do I consider all vowel dipthongs (ai, ia, io, etc.) as one vowel when determining where to put the stress?

Yes.

In día, the tilde breaks the dipthong.

And these perhaps are not dipthongs in the truest sense. - webdunce, Dec 3, 2009

Answer 3

¡Hola!, DR1960:

SpanishDict has some reference pages that address syllables, stress (emphasis) and accents. Of the three of them I think the Reference Page about syllables is more focused on your question. Look at this ----> Syllables.

I think the other two, although probably not as pertinent to your question, make good companion reading and you can find them:

Here ----> Stress/Emphasis , and

Here ----> Accents .

Recuerdos/Regards,

Moe

Thanks, Moe. I had read these first, but wanted to make sure I understood them properly. - DR1960, Dec 3, 2009