On the Articulation of the Human Voice. 167 
Changes of time arise, also, by changes of accent in two-syllable 
words, as shown by the following examples. But it is remarkable 
that the change of accent from the second to the first syllable in 
the words “conduct” and “contract,” increases the distance be- 
tween the syllables; whereas in “ produce” and “object” it 
shortens the distance :— 
con-du'ct. co'n-duct. 
ic alee 
con-tra'ct. co'n-tract. 
pro-du'ce. pro'-duce. 
ob-je'ct. ob' ject. 
a ar 
In these and similar cases the meaning of the words and the 
parts of speech to which they Lelong become changed by the sole 
action of the change of accent. 
In long words, and particularly in words built up of other 
words, there may be sub-dominant accents, as well as a general 
dominant of the whole word. 
The general effect of accent is to impart a particular character 
and individuality to groups of syllables. It is not entirely limited 
to distinguishing one syllable aniong the others of a single word. 
When several words of one syllable come in succession the Logo- 
graph shows that they are spoken almost, if not quite, as quickly 
as the syllables comprising a word ; and in these cases the effect 
of accent is distinctly traceable among them, causing them to 
group themselves in certain ways. This action, though almost 
insensibly given by the speaker, has, no doubt, the effect of ren- 
dering the words more distinct to the hearer. 
The absence of any indication of accent in our written language 
renders it impossible to arrive at the pronunciation of new words 
without oral communication of their sound. 
A writer named Clavigero, referring to the language of the 
Mexican Indians, gives, as a specimen of their mode of com- 
bination, the word notlazomahuit:teopixcatalzin ; the meaning 
