Low Intermediate Pronunciation
24/06/10
Ch. 16: Intonation (pg. 219)
Pre-Lecture
1. What is your last name?
2. Can you see?
3. How is your family?
4. Does she play tennis?
5. Who will drive you back to Jersey City?
6. May I borrow it?
7. Why did she leave?
8. May I borrow it?
9. Which bag is yours?
10. Will she help cook?
I. Intonation is the melody of speech or the changes in the pitch of the voice
- Can convey meaning directly
- Can express a speaker’s emotion (anger, surprise), relationship to the listener (polite,
superior), and attitude toward what s/he is saying (serious, joking).
*Be conscious of the rise and falls of the voice
*Be able to hear and recognize highs and lows, falls and rises, as well as syllables
I a. If your voice rises when it should fall, you will:
- Change a declarative sentence into a question.
Ex: “That’s James’ car.” will sound like…
“That’s James’ car?” (Sound doubtful or annoyed)
Ex: “What?”
I b. If your voice stays level when it should either rise or fall, you will:
- Sound bored or uninterested.
- Confuse your listeners into thinking you didn’t finish your sentence or question.
Ex: “Millie went home” will sound like “Millie went home… and…”
II. Phrases Ending with a Falling Pitch
1. Declarative Sentences
Ex: Karen is Greg’s sister. / She’s not going.
2. Questions that require more than a yes/no answer (“wh” question words)
Ex: Where is my book? (On the table.)
When did he leave? (At 15:00.)
III. Phrases Ending with a Rising Pitch
1. Questions that ask for a yes/no response
Ex: Will you stay? (No, I can’t.)
Do you like school? (Yes, I do.)
2. Statements that express doubt or uncertainty
Ex: I’m not positive.
I think she’s coming tomorrow.
Examples…
Rising Intonation:
11. I have one brother.
12. He is not my friend.
13. Leticia likes ice cream.
14. Chris bought a new car.
15. Mark likes to play tennis.
16. What is your last name?
17. How is your family?
18. Who will drive you back to Jersey City?
19. Why did she leave?
20. Which bag is yours?
Falling Intonation:
1. Can you see? Yes, I can.
2. Does she play tennis? Yes, she does.
3. May I borrow it? Yes, you may.
4. Will she help cook? No, she won’t.
5. Did he arrive on time? Yes, he did.
6. Is Ana your sister? Yes, she is.
7. Have they eaten? No, they haven’t.
8. May I help you? Yes, you can.
9. Are we leaving? No, we’re staying.
10. Can my friends stay? Yes, they can.
IV. Sounding Self Confident instead of Uncertain
- Falling Pitch helps the speaker sound confident
Ex: They have 5 children. (fact)
- Rising Pitch makes the speaker sound like they’re in doubt or disbelief
Ex: They have 5 children. (doubt)
Examples:
1. He ate 25 hot dogs.
2. The boss gave him a raise.
3. Karen ran 55 miles.
4. Obama was elected president.
5. It’s already 16:20.
V. Intonation in Sentences with 2 or More Phrases
- Intonation tells the listener when a speaker has completed the statement or question or
whether s/he has more to say.
- Many sentences are spoken with 2 or more phrases joined together with connecting
words: and, if, so, or but
Ex: He can sing, but he can’t dance.
We were hungry, thirsty, and tired.
*If your voice drops after the 1st phrase, your listener will think you are finished.
*Keep your voice level before the connecting word.
V a. Declarative Sentences with 2 or More Phrases
- Keep your voice level before the connecting word & lower it at the end
Ex: I must buy coffee, tea, and milk.
She speaks French, but not Spanish.
V b. Questions Presenting 2 or More Choices
- Same as declarative sentences
Ex: Would you like cake or pie?
Is he leaving tomorrow or Sunday?
V c. Yes/No Questions with 2 or More Phrases
- Keep your voice level before the connecting word & use a rising pitch at the end
Ex: Will you come if I drive you?
Did he like the new belt and gloves I bought?
Examples:
1. May I leave now or should I wait?
2. Did you buy a new sweater or pants?
3. He missed his bus, but he arrived on time.
4. Call me later, if it’s not too late.
5. Will you visit us if you’re in town?
6. I’ll leave early, so I won’t miss the plane.
7. Do you like grapes, pears, and plums?
8. He’s good at math, but not spelling.
9. You may stay up late if you finish your homework.
10. He went sailing, swimming, and fishing.
Pronunciation Made Simple, Dale & Poms