Átonos

Átonos is a term used in linguistics and phonology to describe syllables that do not bear the main (tonic) stress of a word. The contrasting category is the té tonic syllable, which carries the primary accent. In languages with lexical stress, the division between átonos and tónicos helps explain patterns of pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.

In prosody, átonos typically differ from tónicos in duration, loudness, and pitch contour. They may also undergo vowel reduction or simplification in some languages, especially in rapid speech. The realization of unstressed syllables varies by language: some systems preserve relatively full vowels in átonos, while others favor shorter or weaker vowels and, in languages with vowel reduction, a neutral vowel quality such as schwa.

Cross-linguistically, the distribution and realization of átonos depend on the language’s stress rules. In fixed-stress languages, certain syllables are predictably átonos; in variable-stress languages, the position of the tonic syllable can change across words and forms, affecting which syllables are átonos. In writing systems, accent marks or orthographic rules often indicate deviations from the expected stress pattern, illuminating which syllables are átonos in pronunciation.

Examples help illustrate the concept without implying universal rules. In English, within a word like banana, the first and third syllables are typically átonos, while the second syllable bears the main stress; the vowels in the átonos parts frequently reduce to a neutral quality. In Spanish, many non-stressed syllables are átonos and may carry less emphasis in speech, with stress determined by lexical and grammatical factors.