INTONATIONINTONATION

Gemma N. Gemma N. CostaCosta

GRTE 203- GRTE 203- Teaching of Teaching of

SpeechSpeech

What is it?What is it? ►► Intonation Intonation is the variation of pitch is the variation of pitch when speaking. when speaking. ►► One of the elements of linguisticOne of the elements of linguistic prosodyprosody.. ► ► Perhaps the most importantPerhaps the most important element of a good accent.element of a good accent.

► ► IntonationIntonation helps create the music of a helps create the music of a

language. (like notes in music)language. (like notes in music)

► ► It is a part of communication.It is a part of communication. * the rise and fall of pitch in our voice * the rise and fall of pitch in our voice

plays a crucial role in how we express plays a crucial role in how we express meaning.meaning.

► ► IntonationIntonation is the change of level of voice is the change of level of voice

4 Levels of Voice in English4 Levels of Voice in English Extra highExtra high HighHigh

Gilbert(1994)Gilbert(1994) stated that the stated that the purpose of intonation is purpose of intonation is “helping “helping the listener to follow”.the listener to follow”. It is a It is a navigation guide for the listener.navigation guide for the listener.

MediumMedium LowLow

Why do we need it?Why do we need it?Main Functions of IntonationMain Functions of Intonation

1.1. Grammatical functionGrammatical function * Intonation is used to signal the * Intonation is used to signal the

syntactic or grammatical structure.syntactic or grammatical structure.Ex.Ex. She dressed and fed the babyShe dressed and fed the baby.. ( the baby was dressed and fed )( the baby was dressed and fed ) She dressed She dressed / / and fed the babyand fed the baby.. ( She dressed herself and then fed the ( She dressed herself and then fed the

baby)baby)

Qamar& Rubab (2007)Qamar& Rubab (2007)

“ “ A learner who learns a new A learner who learns a new language has not only to grasp language has not only to grasp the grammar of that language the grammar of that language but also the intonation pattern to but also the intonation pattern to prove himself a good prove himself a good communicator.”communicator.”

22. . Accentual informationAccentual information Distributes accents among stressed Distributes accents among stressed

syllables to emphasize what need to be syllables to emphasize what need to be perceived as significant word.perceived as significant word.

Ex. Paul is very Ex. Paul is very tall.tall. Paul isPaul is very tall. very tall. (Paul and not another(Paul and not another one)one)33. . Discourse FunctionDiscourse Function * The study of the intonation related to the context.* The study of the intonation related to the context.

It means to convey what is new and what is It means to convey what is new and what is old or known. The main accent is in the last old or known. The main accent is in the last lexical word.lexical word.Ex. My name is Ex. My name is Bond.Bond. My name isMy name is Bond. Bond. James James Bond. (new is accented )Bond. (new is accented )

44. . Attitudinal FunctionAttitudinal Function * * IntonationIntonation is used to convey attitude, is used to convey attitude,

emotions or feelings. This adds a special emotions or feelings. This adds a special kind of meaning to spoken language.kind of meaning to spoken language.

Say Say “HELLO”“HELLO”● ● to a friend you meet regularlyto a friend you meet regularly● ● to a friend you haven’t seen for 10 to a friend you haven’t seen for 10

yearsyears● ● to a neighbor whom you don’t liketo a neighbor whom you don’t like● ● to a 6 month old babyto a 6 month old baby● ● to someone doing what he shouldn’tto someone doing what he shouldn’t● ● to know if someone is listening to know if someone is listening

(phone)(phone)

  I did not say you stole my red I did not say you stole my red

hat.hat.   II did not say you stole my red hat. did not say you stole my red hat. ((the meaning contains the idea that someone else said the meaning contains the idea that someone else said

it, not meit, not me))

  I I diddid not say you stole my red hat. not say you stole my red hat. (Strong anger and denial of the fact.)(Strong anger and denial of the fact.)

                      

I did not I did not saysay you stole my red you stole my red hat.  hat.  (But I implied it that you did. Did (But I implied it that you did. Did you?)you?)

 I did not say  I did not say youyou stole my red stole my red hat.  hat.  (I wasn't accusing you. I know it (I wasn't accusing you. I know it was someone else) was someone else)

I did not say you stoleI did not say you stole mymy red red hat . hat . (I meant that you stole someone (I meant that you stole someone

else's red hat)else's red hat)I did not say you stole my I did not say you stole my redred hat.  hat. 

(I said that you stole my blue hat.)(I said that you stole my blue hat.)

I did not say that you stole my red I did not say that you stole my red hathat.. (I said that you stole my red bat. You (I said that you stole my red bat. You

misunderstood my pronunciation)misunderstood my pronunciation)

Fry, et al, (2000),Fry, et al, (2000), the changes the changes in meaning are due to what is in meaning are due to what is called supersegmental called supersegmental phonemes. Phonemes are phonemes. Phonemes are speech sounds and the speech sounds and the supersegmental stress/inflection supersegmental stress/inflection kind affect the meaning .kind affect the meaning .

SegmentalsSegmentals are isolated are isolated soundssounds ( consonants, vowels, ( consonants, vowels, dipthongs)dipthongs) SuprasegmentalsSuprasegmentals

features of speech like stress, features of speech like stress, intonation and rhythmintonation and rhythm

55. . Sociolinguistic functionSociolinguistic function Intonation gives the clueIntonation gives the clue a. where somebody comes froma. where somebody comes from

b. his social levelb. his social level

c. sex, age, personalityc. sex, age, personality

d. Individual features (idiosyncrasy)d. Individual features (idiosyncrasy)

Importance of Intonation in Importance of Intonation in Social InteractionSocial Interaction

TURN-TAKINGTURN-TAKING: Giving the floor to : Giving the floor to another person or taking your turn in a another person or taking your turn in a conversation conversation

INFORMATION INFORMATION STRUCTURESTRUCTURE : :Major stress itemsMajor stress items pick out pick out the most important words the most important words in the sentencein the sentence . .

Word Stress vs. IntonationWord Stress vs. IntonationAre they different?Are they different?

STRESSSTRESS - stress within a word- stress within a word - - a syllable is said a syllable is said

Louder, Longer at a Louder, Longer at a higher pitchhigher pitch

INTONATIONINTONATION

- It goes beyond the It goes beyond the word level.word level.

- - it’s a change in - it’s a change in pitch within a group pitch within a group of words.of words.

- A long line of A long line of melodymelody

Kinds of Tones Kinds of Tones Fall – gives the impression of finalityFall – gives the impression of finality Rise- conveys an impression that Rise- conveys an impression that

something more is to follow.something more is to follow. Fall-Rise – shows limited agreement, Fall-Rise – shows limited agreement,

uncertainty and doubt.uncertainty and doubt. Rise-Fall – convey rather strong feelings Rise-Fall – convey rather strong feelings

of approval, disapproval or surpriseof approval, disapproval or surprise Level- tone is neutral and uninterested Level- tone is neutral and uninterested (usually calls “flat”)(usually calls “flat”)

Intonation PatternIntonation PatternTwo Basic PatternsTwo Basic Patterns

1. 1. FallingFalling Intonation Intonation

2. 2. RisingRising Intonation Intonation

What is falling intonation?What is falling intonation?

►►A pattern in which your voice A pattern in which your voice falls to a low pitch by the end falls to a low pitch by the end of a thought group or of a thought group or statement.statement.

What does it communicate?What does it communicate?

CertaintyCertainty You are telling a fact and/or you You are telling a fact and/or you

believe you are right.believe you are right. FinalityFinality Completion : Completion : You are done You are done

speaking. speaking. YYouourr listener can now listener can now respondrespond..

Falling intonationFalling intonation■ ■ Declarative sentencesDeclarative sentences

■■ W H – questionsW H – questions

■■ CommandsCommands

Example:Example:

Erik builds Erik builds flutesflutes..//// He He began building flutes after began building flutes after ccoolllleegege..//// He has one flute He has one flute of his very of his very ownown..////

What is rising intonation?What is rising intonation? conveys an impression that somethingconveys an impression that something more is to followmore is to follow

■ ■ YES/ NO questionsYES/ NO questions

■■ Open- choice alternative Open- choice alternative questionsquestions

Rising Intonation

Example:Example:Is that Estelle with them? (Rising Intonation)

He just won first place!

Why teach intonation?Why teach intonation? Awareness of intonation aids Awareness of intonation aids

communication.communication.(Difference it makes to meaning)(Difference it makes to meaning)

Incorrect intonation can result in Incorrect intonation can result in misunderstandings, speakers losing misunderstandings, speakers losing interest or even taking offence!interest or even taking offence!

As important as word choiceAs important as word choice

What are the main means of What are the main means of improving intonation while improving intonation while teaching pronunciation?teaching pronunciation?

the best way to achieve quick result is the best way to achieve quick result is constant practicing constant practicing

start listening to speech of native start listening to speech of native speakers as frequently as possible. speakers as frequently as possible.

the most important is not only to the most important is not only to listen to pronunciation, but to repeat listen to pronunciation, but to repeat phrases and try to imitate the phrases and try to imitate the speakers. speakers.

THAT’S ALL and THAT’S ALL and Thank you for Thank you for

listening!!listening!!Gemma Naval – CostaGemma Naval – Costa

MATE 1MATE 1