Latin Syllables:
In dividing Latin words into syllables, note the following
rules:
1.
A single consonant between two vowels usually
goes with the second vowel:
nō-mi-ne
2.
Rō-mā-na
vī-cī-na
Two consonants between vowels are usually
divided between the syllables:
puel-la
pic-tū-ra
rūs-ti-ca
Latin Accents:
The syllables in Latin words are identified from the end:
the last syllable is called the ultima, the second from last
the penult, and the third from the end the antepenult.
Latin words are accented according to four simple rules:
1.
If the next to the last syllable (the penult) has a long vowel
or diphthong, it will receive the accent:
discēdō (dis-cé-dō)
2.
If the penult has a short vowel followed by two consonants,
it will usually receive the accent:
exténdō (ex-ten-dō)
3.
Otherwise, the accent falls on the third syllable from the
end (the antepenult):
Británnicus (Bri-tan-nic-us)
4.
Almost all words of two syllables are accented on the first
syllable:
e.g. légit (lé-git),
exception: adhúc (ad-húc)
Careful observation of the long marks (macrons) over the
vowels will thus help with both pronunciation and
accenting of Latin words.