Matakuliah : G0332/English Phonology
Tahun
: 2007
Pitch , Contour and Terminal
Pertemuan 10
Intonation Contour
• Pitch is a necessary accompaniment to the vibration of
the vocal cords.
• There are four levels of pitch, which are used to make
distinction in meaning. They are:
• 4 extra – high
• 3 high
• 2 normal
• 1 low
3
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Terminals
• Pitches combine into patterns to make meaningful
melodies over the whole phrase or sentence . These
melodies have three methods of closure, which are
called terminal junctures or just terminals.
• There are three kinds of terminals:
• 1. Fading terminal : a rapid fade away of the voice into
silence, symbolized by /↓/
• 2. Rising terminal : a short, slight rise in pitch from the
last level, symbolized by /↑/
• 3. Sustained terminal: a slight lengthening of the
preceding pitch 3 word, symbolized by / → /
4
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Contour Pattern
1. 2 3 1↓ or 2 2 1↓
a. statement or declarative sentence
b. command
c. question word question
2. 2 3 3↑ or 2 2 3↑
a. Yes no question in statement form
b. yes no question in question form
c. initial grammatical unit (phrase or clause or sentence
segment)
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Contour Pattern
3. 2 3 2 → (sign incompleteness)
a. initial grammatical unit (phrase or clause)
b. statement, usually followed by but
4. 3 2 ↓ or 2 2 3↑
this contour is for a name call. If the person being called
does not answer the pattern change into 3 1↓
5. 2 3↑ On individual question, this signal a request for
repetition of some part of the preceding message.
6. 3 1↓ On individual question, this signal a request for
further information.
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Contour Pattern
7. 2 2 3↑ or 2 3↑
This is used on a stressed word, phrase or clause in a
series
8. Repetition of the previous pitch. This is used for a
quoted clause of ‘he said’ in medial or final position
9. 1 2 ↑ or 2 2 3↑
This is used for calling names at the end of the
sentence.
10. 2 3 3 ↑ 2 3 1 ↓
This contour signals a choice of two possibilities
11. 2 3 3↑2 3 3↑
This proposes a yes no question.
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Meaning differences
•
Different signs of stress, pitch and juncture can cause
meaning differences.
1. 2
3 1
I called Bill a doctor↓ : means : I called a doctor to help
Bill.
2. 2
31 2 3 1
I called Bill ↓ a doctor ↓: means : I called Bill who was a
doctor
• Stress, pitch and juncture signs can also used to
emphasize a certain word.
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