IN the NAME OF THE MOST

HIGH

Chapter 15

Intonation 1

“All my life I've looked at words

as though I were seeing them for the first time.”

Ernest Hemingway

Segmental PhonologyThe study of the description of phonemes.

StressSomething that is applied to or is a property of syllables & therefore is a part of super-segmental phonology of English.

parts of super-segmental phonology

StressSomething that is applied to syllables.

IntonationThe pitch of the voice which plays the most important part in intonation.

Necessary Conditions for Pitch

1. It should be over control.

2. It must be perceptible

3. It should make contrast

Fundamental Frequency

The rate of vibration of the vocal folds, something which is physically measurable, and which is related to actions on the part of the speaker.

Forms and Functions in Intonation

FormWhat cab be observed when we study pitch vibration.

FunctionWhat is linguistic importance of the phenomena we observed.

UtteranceA name for continuous piece of speech beginning and ending with a clear pause.

ToneThe word we use for the overall of the pitch containing at a constant level, or with the pitch changing from level to another.

Tone1. Level tone

2. Moving toneFallingRising

Tone Language

Languages that the tone can determine the meaning of the word, that is, changing from one tone to another can completely change the meaning.

Complex Tones and Pitch Height

Complex tonesFall-rise

The pitch descends & then rises again.

Rise-fall

The pitch rises & then descends again.

LevelsTop Highest pitch normally used by the speakers.Bottom The speaker pitch normally does not go belong.

Normal & unemphatic

Strong & emphatic

Function of Language Tones

FallRiseFall riseRise fall

Fall “yes” “no”Fall tone usually more or less regards as neutral. If someone is asked a question and replies yes\no the question is now answered and nothing more to be said.

Fall gives the impression of finality.

Rise “yes” “no”Rise tone conveys an impression that something more is to follow.

A typical occurrence in a dialogue between two speakers whom we shall call A & B.

rising yes

invite A to continue

falling yes

would give a feeling of finality.

In someone’ s response to a series of instruction or direction.

A: you started of the road.

B: yes

A: Have you seen Ann?

no has an invitation to A to B: explain why she is looking for Ann. no has an interest in continuing

with that topic of conversation

A question that implies readiness to present some new information.

A: Do you know what the longest balloon flight was? B: no inviting a to tell him no he doesn’t know & isn’t expecting to

be told

Fall-rise “yes” “no”

a. It is used in limited agreement or respond with reservation.

A: I’ve heard that it’s a good school

B: yes

A : It’s not really an expressive book, is it?

B :no

Rise-fall “yes” “no” It is used to show

1. Approval

2. Disapproval

3. Surprise

A: you wouldn’t do an awful thing like that, woulde you?

B: no

A: isn’t the view lovely?

B: yes

A:I think you said it was then best so far.

B: yes

Level “yes” “no” It is used for saying something routine, uninteresting or boring. For example in roll calling and answering for an insurance policy.

The End