Stress, in a manner of speaking (6)
I believe the answer is:
accent
This clue is a triple definition!
'stress' is the first definition.
(accent can mean to emphasise or stress)
'in' acts as a link.
'a manner' is the second definition.
(I have seen 'manner of speaking' mean 'accent' so perhaps 'manner' could also mean 'accent')
'of' acts as a link.
'speaking' is the third definition.
(thesaurus)
(Other definitions for accent that I've seen before include "Local way of speaking or enunciation" , "Place stress on, say a syllable" , "Distinctive manner of speaking" , "Acute, perhaps" , "Emphasis; mark on a letter" .)