INTONATION INTONATION INSTRUCTOR:INSTRUCTOR:

NGUYEN THANH NGANGUYEN THANH NGA

Presented By:Presented By:

Pham Thi Kim DungPham Thi Kim Dung

Cao Ngo Thuy DuyenCao Ngo Thuy Duyen

Tran Thi Trung HieuTran Thi Trung Hieu

Lu Thi NhienLu Thi Nhien

INTONATIONINTONATIONIntroduction Introduction We can divide language into languages which are toned and those We can divide language into languages which are toned and those

which are not, English falls into second category, that is, it is not a which are not, English falls into second category, that is, it is not a tone languagetone language because because different tones make no difference in different tones make no difference in meanings.meanings.

Tone Language

ChineseVietnamese

NOT tone language

ENGLISH

Vietnamesemamá màmãmạ

Englishme

me?

INTONATIONINTONATION

These different pitch patterns that do not change but merely These different pitch patterns that do not change but merely add to the basic meaning of words are called INTONATION. add to the basic meaning of words are called INTONATION.

DefinitionDefinition When speaking, speakers generally raise and When speaking, speakers generally raise and

lower the pitch of their voice, forming pitch lower the pitch of their voice, forming pitch patterns. The changes in pitch are called patterns. The changes in pitch are called intonation. Intonation is often called the intonation. Intonation is often called the melody of language since it refers to the melody of language since it refers to the pattern of pitch changes that we use when we pattern of pitch changes that we use when we speakspeak..

INTONATIONINTONATION

Tone – unit and the structure of Tone – unit and the structure of tone unit:tone unit:

Tone:Tone: Tone is the overall behavior of Tone is the overall behavior of pitch. pitch.

Pitch: Pitch: Pitch is frequency of vibration of Pitch is frequency of vibration of vocal cords. vocal cords.

Tone unit:Tone unit:For the purpose of analyzing For the purpose of analyzing intonation, usually tone – unit is always intonation, usually tone – unit is always composed of more than one syllable. composed of more than one syllable.

Analysis of Utterances to Analysis of Utterances to Understand Tone – UnitUnderstand Tone – Unit

One syllable utterance One syllable utterance

YouYouThis is one tone unit. This is one tone unit.

Three Syllable Utterance Three Syllable Utterance Is it Is it you?you?

This is one tone unit. This is one tone unit.

The Structure of Tone Unit The Structure of Tone Unit

The structure of tone unit comprises of:The structure of tone unit comprises of: Tonic syllable Tonic syllable (TS)(TS) Head Head (H)(H) Pre-Head Pre-Head (PH)(PH) Tail Tail (T)(T)

(i) (i) Tonic SyllableTonic Syllable Tonic syllable is an obligatory component of tone Tonic syllable is an obligatory component of tone

unit. The centre of the unit, around which everything unit. The centre of the unit, around which everything else is constructed, is the tonic syllable, or nucleus.else is constructed, is the tonic syllable, or nucleus.

For example:For example:John, is it you?John, is it you?

In this example, there are two tone units because In this example, there are two tone units because there are, two tonic syllables in it. First is John, one there are, two tonic syllables in it. First is John, one syllable utterance) second is it you? (Three syllable syllable utterance) second is it you? (Three syllable utterance). utterance).

Tonic stress:Tonic stress: The stress that tonic syllable is having is called The stress that tonic syllable is having is called

tonic stress. tonic stress.

(ii)(ii) The Head:The Head: The head is all that part of a tone unit that The head is all that part of a tone unit that extends from the first stressed syllable up to the extends from the first stressed syllable up to the tonic syllable. tonic syllable. For example:For example:

Give me, Give me, those?those? Head Head TSTS

If there is no stressed syllable proceeding the If there is no stressed syllable proceeding the tonic syllable, there cannot be any head.tonic syllable, there cannot be any head.

(iii)(iii) The Pre-Head:The Pre-Head:The unstressed syllable before the head is called pre-head. The unstressed syllable before the head is called pre-head. For exampleFor example

In anIn an hourhourPre-headPre-head TS TS

Pre-head can be found in two situations. Pre-head can be found in two situations. When there is no head. When there is no head. As inAs inFor example:For example:

In anIn an hourhour PHPH TS TS

b) When the head is after the unstressed syllable. b) When the head is after the unstressed syllable. For example: For example: In In aa littlelittle less less than than anan, , hourhour PH PH HH TS TS

(iv)(iv) The tailThe tailAny syllable that follows the tonic syllable or any Any syllable that follows the tonic syllable or any syllable between tonic syllable and of tone unit is called syllable between tonic syllable and of tone unit is called the Tail. the Tail.

For exampleFor example::

LookLook atat itit

TSTS Tail Tail

I I mightmight buybuy itit

HH TS TS Tail Tail

Forms of IntonationForms of Intonation

Linguistics are not in complete agreement about the precise Linguistics are not in complete agreement about the precise number of tones which are used by speakers of English some number of tones which are used by speakers of English some distinguish as many as eight, others work with four or five. The distinguish as many as eight, others work with four or five. The following tones are the ones most usually encountered. following tones are the ones most usually encountered. Fall Fall Rise – fall Rise – fall Fall – rise Fall – rise Rise Rise Level Level

1. 1. FallFall It is regarded as neutral tone and gives the impression of It is regarded as neutral tone and gives the impression of ‘finality’.‘finality’.

ExampleExample::

A:A: Have you attended the class?Have you attended the class?

B:B: YesYes..

(It will be understood that the question is now answered (It will be understood that the question is now answered and that there is nothing more to be said.)and that there is nothing more to be said.)

2. 2. RiseRiseThis tone conveys an impression that something more is to This tone conveys an impression that something more is to follow. follow. For example:For example:

A:A: Excuse Excuse me!me! (wishing to attract B’S attention.)(wishing to attract B’S attention.)

B:B: Yes Yes (B’S reply is, perhaps, equivalent to what do you want?)(B’S reply is, perhaps, equivalent to what do you want?)

3. 3. Fall – riseFall – rise This tone shows limited agreement, uncertainty, This tone shows limited agreement, uncertainty, and doubt.and doubt.For example:For example:A:A: I have heard that it’s a good college. I have heard that it’s a good college. B:B: Yes Yes (B does not completely agree and A would (B does not completely agree and A would probably expect B to go on to explain why he probably expect B to go on to explain why he was reluctant to agree). was reluctant to agree).

4. 4. Rise – FallRise – Fall This is used to convey rather strong feelings of This is used to convey rather strong feelings of approval, disapproval or surprise. This tone is approval, disapproval or surprise. This tone is used rarely in English. used rarely in English. A:A: You wouldn’t do on awful thing like that, You wouldn’t do on awful thing like that, would you?would you?B:B: NoNo

5. 5. LevelLevel This tone is neutral and uninterested. This tone is neutral and uninterested. High level High level Yes Yes No No Low level Low level Yes Yes NoNoIt is used in English language in a restricted context. It It is used in English language in a restricted context. It almost always conveys a feeling of routine, almost always conveys a feeling of routine, uninteresting or boring. uninteresting or boring.

For example:For example:A teacher calling names of the pupils from a register. A teacher calling names of the pupils from a register.

Uses of TonesUses of Tones

The tone-units and kinds of tone – units have The tone-units and kinds of tone – units have already been discussed. Now we will try to already been discussed. Now we will try to establish a correlation between the various types establish a correlation between the various types of sentences (tone – units or tone groups) and the of sentences (tone – units or tone groups) and the tones with which they are generally said. Thus, tones with which they are generally said. Thus, we will see which types of tones are used to say we will see which types of tones are used to say which type of tone units. which type of tone units.

a. a. Falling Tone (neutral tone& impression of finality)Falling Tone (neutral tone& impression of finality)The following types of sentences are generally said with a falling The following types of sentences are generally said with a falling tone. tone.

a)a) StatementsStatements which are complete and definite which are complete and definite..e.g. He’s just been promoted. e.g. He’s just been promoted.

b)b) Wh – questionsWh – questions which are matter of fact and intended to be neither polite nor which are matter of fact and intended to be neither polite nor impolite.impolite.

e.g. Where are you going?e.g. Where are you going?What are you doing?What are you doing?

c)c) Commands Commands e.g Shut the door.e.g Shut the door.

d)d) InvitationsInvitations e.g. Come over for a cup of coffee. e.g. Come over for a cup of coffee. Come and dine with us. Come and dine with us.

e)e) Exclamations Exclamations What a fine weather!What a fine weather!How beautiful:How beautiful:

f)f) TagTag questionsquestions forcing the listner to agree with the speaker. forcing the listner to agree with the speaker. e.g. You are coming todaye.g. You are coming today,, aren’t you? aren’t you?He can’t help it / can he?He can’t help it / can he?

b.b. Rising ToneRising Tone (something more is to follow) (something more is to follow) The rising tone is used with the following tone – groups:The rising tone is used with the following tone – groups:i.i. Yes / No type questionsYes / No type questions

e.g. Was he present yesterday?e.g. Was he present yesterday?ii.ii. StatementsStatements intended to be a questions. intended to be a questions.

e.g. you won’t come?e.g. you won’t come?( ( He isn’t going. He isn’t going. ))

iii.iii. Request Request

e.g. pass me the dish, please. e.g. pass me the dish, please. iv.iv. CommandCommand intended to sound like a request. intended to sound like a request.

e.g. close the door, e.g. close the door, Don’t be late. Don’t be late.

V.V. Wh – questions Wh – questions showing politeness friendliness, warmth, showing politeness friendliness, warmth, personal interest. personal interest. e.g. How are you?e.g. How are you?What is your name, child? What is your name, child?

VI.VI. RepetitionRepetition questionsquestions which repeats some one else’s question or which repeats some one else’s question or wants him to repeat some information. wants him to repeat some information. e.g. what did I say? e.g. what did I say?

i.i. Incomplete statement leading to a following tone group.Incomplete statement leading to a following tone group.ii.ii. Statement intended to be a ‘correction’ of the information Statement intended to be a ‘correction’ of the information

received. received. e.g (he has three sons) He has foure.g (he has three sons) He has four

iii.iii. Statement intended to be a warning reproach or to express Statement intended to be a warning reproach or to express concern. concern. e.g you, mustn’t go like this (warning)e.g you, mustn’t go like this (warning)Be careful (concern)Be careful (concern)

iv.iv. Imperative meant to be a pleading request. Imperative meant to be a pleading request. e.g don’t get on my nervee.g don’t get on my nerve

v.v. Statement which shows a kind of reservation on the part of the Statement which shows a kind of reservation on the part of the speaker. speaker. He’s good (I can’t trust him)He’s good (I can’t trust him)I can do it tomorrow (but not today)I can do it tomorrow (but not today)

c. Falling-Rising Tone (limited agreement uncertainity c. Falling-Rising Tone (limited agreement uncertainity and doubt)and doubt)

d. d. Rising-Falling Tone (strong feelings of Rising-Falling Tone (strong feelings of approval, disapproval or surprise)approval, disapproval or surprise)The following tone groups are said with the rising-falling The following tone groups are said with the rising-falling tone:tone:

i.i. Statement showing enthusiastic agreement. Statement showing enthusiastic agreement. e.g Yes, of coursee.g Yes, of course

ii.ii. Question showing suspicion, indignation incredulity, or Question showing suspicion, indignation incredulity, or mockery. mockery. e.g what has he been doing? (Suspicion)e.g what has he been doing? (Suspicion)Will he be able to do it? (Mocking, suspicion)Will he be able to do it? (Mocking, suspicion)

iii.iii. Imperative expression petulance, haughtinessImperative expression petulance, haughtinesse.g Go and break your head (haughtiness)e.g Go and break your head (haughtiness)

iv.iv. Exclamation expressing sarcasm, irony. Exclamation expressing sarcasm, irony. e.g How good for you (sarcasm)e.g How good for you (sarcasm)oh, really (sarcasm)oh, really (sarcasm)

Functions of intonationFunctions of intonation AAttitudinal function of intonation ttitudinal function of intonation

((to show feeling, emotionto show feeling, emotion)) Accentual function of intonationAccentual function of intonation

(to show different kind of sentence) (to show different kind of sentence) Grammatical function of intonation Grammatical function of intonation

(to concentrate attention)(to concentrate attention) Discourse function of intonationDiscourse function of intonation

(to show the main core of the message, to (to show the main core of the message, to conduct towards the response of the listener)conduct towards the response of the listener)

Intonation Intonation No completely satisfactory definition can be given for this No completely satisfactory definition can be given for this

term but give a rough idea term but give a rough idea J. Sethi J. Sethi defines it as:defines it as: Different pitches of the voice combine to form patterns of Different pitches of the voice combine to form patterns of

pitch variation, or tones, which together constitute the pitch variation, or tones, which together constitute the intonation of the language. intonation of the language.

The intonation of the language’ thus’ refers to the rise and fall The intonation of the language’ thus’ refers to the rise and fall of the pitch of the voice when we speak. One of the most of the pitch of the voice when we speak. One of the most important tasks in analyzing intonation is to listen to speaker’s important tasks in analyzing intonation is to listen to speaker’s pitch and recognize the tone. pitch and recognize the tone.

Speakers are said select from a choice of tones according to Speakers are said select from a choice of tones according to how they want the utterance to be heard. how they want the utterance to be heard.

Tone is carried by the tonic syllable whereas intonation is Tone is carried by the tonic syllable whereas intonation is carried by the tone unit. A tone unit is consisted of carried by the tone unit. A tone unit is consisted of

Pre-head, head, tonic syllable, and a tail. Pre-head, head, tonic syllable, and a tail. (PH)(PH) (H) TS (T)(H) TS (T)

Thank you for your

attention!