Which statement best describes stress-timed languages?

• A. They have relatively equal intervals between stressed syllables; English is a classic example
• B. They have a syllable-timed rhythm with equal syllables
• C. They depend on pitch cues rather than rhythm
• D. They have relatively irregular spacing between stressed syllables

Answer: (D)

Stress-timed languages organize rhythm around stressed syllables, so the timing of those stresses tends to be roughly regular. Unstressed syllables can vary a lot in length and number, which makes the rhythm feel uneven in terms of syllable count, but the beats set by the stressed syllables stay relatively even over time. English is a classic example, where you hear a steady cadence driven by where the stresses fall.

The idea that the rhythm is syllable-timed (equal-length syllables across the language, like in Spanish or Italian) doesn’t describe this pattern. Focusing on pitch alone relates more to intonation than to the rhythm class. Saying the spacing between stressed syllables is irregular contradicts the defining feature of stress-timed speech, which is the relatively regular timing of those stresses.