Above quoted from Lojban Reference Grammar: Chapter 3: http://www.lojban.org/tiki/tiki-download_wiki_attachment.php?attId=195There are actually three levels of stress --- primary, secondary, and weak. Weak stress is the lowest level, so it really means no stress at all. Weak stress is required for syllables containing ``y'', a syllabic consonant, or a buffer vowel.
Primary stress is required on the penultimate syllable of Lojban content words (called ``brivla''). Lojbanized names may be stressed on any syllable, but if a syllable other than the penultimate is stressed, the syllable (or at least its vowel) must be capitalized in writing. Lojban structural words (called ``cmavo'') may be stressed on any syllable or none at all. However, primary stress may not be used in a syllable just preceding a brivla, unless a pause divides them; otherwise, the two words may run together.
Secondary stress is the optional and non-distinctive emphasis used for other syllables besides those required to have either weak or primary stress. There are few rules governing secondary stress, which typically will follow a speaker's native language habits or preferences. Secondary stress can be used for contrast, or for emphasis of a point. Secondary stress can be emphasized at any level up to primary stress, although the speaker must not allow a false primary stress in brivla, since errors in word resolution could result.
All of us, at this point in time(2006 C.E.), have a native language other than lOjban. Many times, such as with English, we do not emphasize the pen-ultimate syllable, as a rule.
If I am to read lOjban, without stress emphasis. I know that I will not pronounce it in my mind properly emphasized. It's just too hard for me to read, translate, and remmember that I need to emphasize the penultimate syllable.
Why am I concerned about which syllable I should stress? I intend on speaking it.
ko gAsnu lo du'u do djEci gi'e cUrmi lo du'u drAta
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