[Neutralization of English stress differences in the intonation contour]

PILCH'S analysis of the English intonation contour implies that the difference between the primary and secondary stresses exists only in the contour nucleus, but is inaudible elsewhere. This hypothesis has been checked and confirmed both by auditory and acoustic analysis and by the test responses of native speakers. The parameters by which primary and secondary stresses are heard as different are length and pitch change. The pitch difference disappears outside the contour nucleus, and the length relations may be reversed causing wrong identifications by the listeners.