what are you up to?

[benji]

Can anyone explain to me where the stress is on questions like what are you up to?
I think it falls on are and up?
Or in what are you doing on saturay it falls on doing?
thanks

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by benji

Can anyone explain to me where the stress is on questions like what are you up to?
I think it falls on are and up?
Or in what are you doing on saturay it falls on doing?
thanks

You live in Manchester and your first language is English.
You have probably heard people saying the same sentence with the stress on different words depending on the meaning. If you have not, perhaps you should get out more.
By the way, yes you could put the stress on those words if that's the appropriate place for your context.

[benji]

Um, so actually then it falls on what and you? If I'm asking what you're doing now, whAt are yOu up to? I can tell you don't like answering these. But if you could point me towards any resources where I can find my own answers I'd be very grateful because I'm having no luck and haven't got much time.

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by benji

Um, so actually then it falls on what and you? If I'm asking what you're doing now, whAt are yOu up to? I can tell you don't like answering these. But if you could point me towards any resources where I can find my own answers I'd be very grateful because I'm having no luck and haven't got much time.

I love answering these. But your profile suggests that you are a native speaker living in England. You should be able to tell me how Mancastrians put the stress on these sentences. The stress comes where the stress is needed. There is no right word to stress in a sentence out of context. Say a few sentences yourself; record yourself. See where you stress them.
Is the problem that you don't hear a stress in any sentence at all?

In the sentence, What are you up to? it could be
What are you up to?
What are you up to?
What are you up to?
What are you up to?
What are you up to?

I wouldn't put the stress on "to".

[jerinwong]

I should be the one asking questions like that as I am chinese. I agree with Raymott.

[konungursvia]

I thought they were Mancunians. Mancastrians are little papier mache dolls. Protecting ancient tombs. Particularly dead Castros.

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by konungursvia

I thought they were Mancunians. Mancastrians are little papier mache dolls. Protecting ancient tombs. Particularly dead Castros.

But aren't Mancunians people from Northern China?

[konungursvia]

The terracotta warriors are at Xi'an; xi means west; I figure it must be west China.