Word Stress on "Princess"

[EngFan]

Hi Everybody,

I'd like to know how do you put the word stress on "Princess", on first syllable or second syllable, I always hear people put the stress on first syllable, but dictionaries tell me the stress should be on the second syllable, please advise! Thanks a lot...!

EngFan

 

[5jj]

Both are possible.
When the word is followed by the name, as in Princess Anne, neither syllable of princess is stressed; the name bears the primary stress.

 

[thatone]

AmE usually /ˈprɪnsəs/ also /ˈprɪnˌsɛs/ sometimes /prɪnˈsɛs/
BE usually /ˈprɪnˌsɛs/ also /prɪnˈsɛs/

 

[BobK]

AmE usually /ˈprɪnsəs/ also /ˈprɪnˌsɛs/ sometimes /prinˈsɛs/
BE usually /ˈprɪnˌsɛs/ also /prinˈsɛs/

Maybe so. I was about to say the polar opposite! But I agree with you and 5: both stresses are used, and sometimes there's none. I suspect there's an element of euphony in the decision. In 'Austin Princess' [an old make of car] the stress is iambic: long/short, long/short (with Prin- taking the long stress). In 'Fancy! - he drives a Princess now though' the stress is dactylic: 'long/short/short long/short/short long/short/short' (with '-cess' taking the short stress).

NB - no one has to learn (or even believe ;-)) this stuff, I'm just trying to explain apparently random choices.​

b