Why might a speech about folk tales be confusing if presented with a strong accent?

A speech about folk tales presented with a strong accent can indeed lead to confusion primarily due to incorrect stress on words. Stressing words incorrectly can alter the intended meaning of phrases or sentences, making it difficult for the audience to follow the narrative or understand the key points being communicated. In spoken language, stress on the right syllables or words helps listeners to identify important content and nuances. When the speaker’s accent accompanies mis-stressed words, the message might not just sound unfamiliar; it can distort the intended meaning altogether, leading to misunderstanding.

While complex vocabulary, advanced content, or rapidly paced speech can contribute to communication challenges, the specific issue of incorrect word stress directly affects clarity and comprehension in spoken discourse. Therefore, the strong accent coupled with stressed words that do not align with the usual patterns can create barriers in understanding the narrative flow and emotional weight of the folk tales being shared.