Intonation
- Definition
- Intonation refers to the use of melody and the rise and fall of the voice when speaking. Each language uses riding and falling pitches differently and has its own distinctive melody and intonation patterns. In fact, babvies usually recognice and use the intonation of their native language before they learn actual speech sounds and words..
- Intonation in English
- Intoantion can convey grammatical meaning as well as the speaker's attitude. It will "tell" whether a person is making a statement or asking a question; it will also indicate if the person is confident, doutfull, shy, annoyed, or impatient. Correct use of intonation is necessary to convey your message correctly and to make you sound like a native English speaker.
- Phrases Ending with a Falling Pitch
- 1. Declarative sentenses.
| EXAMPLES |
| Linda is my sister. ↘ |
He is not going. ↘ |
- 2.Questions that require more than a yes/no response (such question words include who, when, why, where, which, how)
| EXAMPLES |
| Where is my book? ↘ |
(On the table.↘ ) |
| When did he leave? ↘ |
(At three o'clock. ↘) |
- Phrases Ending with a Rising Pitch
- 1. Questions that ask for a yes/no response (such question words include can. do, will, would, may, and is)
| EXAMPLES |
| Will you stay? ↗ |
(No, I can't. ↘) |
| Do you like school? ↗ |
(Yes, I do. ↘) |
- 2.Statements that express doubt or uncertainty
| EXAMPLES |
| I'm not positive. ↗ |
| I think he's coming.↗ |
🎧 Listen and repeat the statements. Make your voice fall at the end of each of the sentences. Remember, questions that cannot be ansered with yes or no take the same downword intonation as declarative sentences
- I have four brothers. ↘
- He is not my friend. ↘
- We like ice cream. ↘
- Tim bought a new car. ↘
- She likes to play tennis. ↘
- What is your name? ↘
- How is your family? ↘
- Who will drive your home? ↘
- Why did he leave? ↘
- Which book is yours? ↘
🎧 Listen and repeat the yes/no questions and sample responses. Be sure your voice rises↘ at the end of each question and falls ↗ at end of each response.
| Yes/No Questions ↗ |
Responses ↘ |
| 1. Can you see? |
Yes, I can. |
| 2. Does he play golf? |
Yes, he does. |
| 3. May I borrow it? |
Yes, you may. |
| 4. Will she help? |
No, she won't. |
| 5. Did he arrive? |
Yes,he's here now. |
| 6. Is Susana your sister? |
No, she is my friend. |
| 7. Have they eaten? |
Yes, they ate at two. |
| 8. May I help you? |
Yes, please do. |
| 9. Are we leaving? |
No, we're staying. |
| 10. Can my friends stay? |
Yes, they can. |
- Sounding Confident Instead of Uncertain
- As was already discussed, a falling pitch should be used at the end of declarative sentences. It will halp you sound confident and sure of yourself. On the other hand, using an upward pitch at the end of the same sentences indicates that the sepeaker if doubtful of uncertain abput what he or she is saying.
| EXAMPLES |
| They have twenty children. ↘ |
(stated as a fact) |
| |
|
| They have twenty children. ↗ |
(stated with doubt or disbelief) |
🎧 Listen and repeat the statements. Use a falling pitch toj end the sentences on the left and an upward pitch to end the sentences on the right, (Notice how the faling pitch in the first reading helps you to sound sure of yourself, while the rising pitch in the second reading makes you sound doubtful or uncertain.)
| Steted with Certainty ↘ |
Stated with Doubt ↗ |
| 1. He ate twenty-five hot dogs. |
He ate twenty-five hot dogs. |
| 2. The boss gave him a rise. |
The boss gave him a raise. |
| 3. You ran 55 miles. |
You ran 55 miles. |
| 4. Mike was elected president. |
Mike was elected president. |
| 5. It's already three o'clock. |
It's already three o'clock. |
- Intonation in Sentences with Two or More Phrases
- Intonation also tells the listener whether a speaker has completed the statment or question or whether he or she has more to say. Many sentences are spokes with two or more phrases joined together with such connecting words as and, if, si or but.
| EXAMPLES |
| He can sing, but he can't dance. |
| We were hungry, thisty, and tired. |
- If your voice drops after the first phrase, your listener will think you are finished with the sentence. To make it clear that you have more to say, you must keep your voice level → before the connecting word. There are three main types of sentences:
- 1.Declaratives sentences with two or more phrases
- Keep your voice level → before the connecting word and lower it at the end ↘.
| EXAMPLES |
| I must buy coffe → , tea →, and milk.↘ |
| She speaks French → , but not Spanish. ↘ |
2.Questions presenting two or more choices
This intonation pattern is the same as for declaratives sentences with two or more phrases. Keep your voice level → before the connecting word and lower it when you finish your question. ↘ .
| EXAMPLES |
| Would you like cake → or pie? ↘ |
| Is he leaving tommorrow → , or Sunday? ↘ |
3.Yes/No questions with two or more phrases
Keep your voice level → before the connecting word, and use a rising pitch ↗ at the end of your question.
| EXAMPLES |
| Will you come → if I drive you? ↗ |
| Did he like the new belt → , and gloves I bought? ↗ |
🎧 Listen and repeat the statements and questions. (The arrows are there to remind you to use the proper intonation pattens.)
- May I leave now → , or should I wait ↘?
- Did you buy a new hat → or pants ↘?
- He missed his bus → but arrived on time ↘.
- Call me later → , if it's not too late ↘.
- Will you visit us → if you're in town ↗?
- I'll leave early → , so I won't miss the plane ↘.
- Do you like grapes → ,pears → , and plums ↗?
- He is good at math → but not spelling ↘.
- You may stay up late → if you finish your homework ↘.
- He went sailing →, swimming → , and fishing ↘.
