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Intonation

Intonation refers to the variations in pitch when speaking that can alter the meaning of sentences, distinguishing between statements, questions, and commands. It plays a crucial role in conveying emotions and attitudes, as the grammatical structure alone does not indicate the speaker's intent. The document outlines different types of tones—falling, rising, and fall-rise—and provides exercises to practice using these tones appropriately.

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3 views

Intonation

Intonation refers to the variations in pitch when speaking that can alter the meaning of sentences, distinguishing between statements, questions, and commands. It plays a crucial role in conveying emotions and attitudes, as the grammatical structure alone does not indicate the speaker's intent. The document outlines different types of tones—falling, rising, and fall-rise—and provides exercises to practice using these tones appropriately.

Uploaded by

samm123456
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Intonation

What is intonation?
● Intonation can be defined as the sound changes produced by the rise and fall of the
voice when speaking, especially when this has an effect on the meaning of what is
said
● It is the music of a language. In English, we use tone to signal emotion. It is
important to understand the meaning behind the tones used in everyday speech.
● Intonation distinguishes different types of sentences. The differences between the
following sentences, which are grammatically identical is only one of intonation.
● Example:

He is arriving late (statement)

He is arriving late? (question)

Shut the door (command)

Shut the door (request)


Role of Intonation
● Intonation is the chief means by which the speaker conveys his emotions.
The grammar of an utterance does not reveal in any noticeable way whether
the speaker’s attitude is one of politeness, assertiveness, or anything else.

E.g. ‘Thank you’ expresses a feeling of genuine gratitude, when said with a
falling tone but sounds rather casual, when said with a rising tone
Types of Tones

● Falling tone

● Rising tone

● Fall-rise tone
Falling Tone
● Definite & complete sentences
● Matter of fact wh-questions
● Commands
● Invitations
● Exclamations
Practice Exercise
Exercise 1: All the following sentences are to be said with a falling tone. Give the
reasons for saying them with a falling tone (i.e Is it a definite statement, Wh-
Question, Command, Invitation, Exclamation)

● We’re late
● I know
● Fantastic
● Shut the window
● Let’s go for a little stroll
● What’s the time
● Where do you live
● Come over for a cup of tea
● Who would like to ask for a ride
● John plays cricket every Friday morning
Rising Tone
● Yes/No type question
● Statements intended to be questions
● Requests/Greetings
● Commands intended to sound like requests
● Alternative questions
Practice Exercise

Exercise 2: Read the following sentences with a rising tone. Give the reason for saying
them in a rising tone (i.e Is it a yes/no type question, statement intended to be a question,
request, greeting, command sounding like a request or an alternative question)

● Will you be in?


● Good morning
● May I come in?
● Open the window
● Will you come over for a cup of tea?
● The postman hasn’t come yet?
● Has the postman brought any letters?
● Would you like another cup of coffee?
● Please come in
● Don’t bother
Fall-Rise Tone
● Statements intended to express concern
● Statements intended to be warnings
● Statements showing reservations (of the speaker)
Practice Exercise

Exercise 3: All the following sentences will be said with a fall- rise tone. Give the
reason for saying them in a fall-rise tone (i.e is it a statement showing concern,
warning, or reservation of the speaker)

● I’m so sorry
● Careful
● She isn’t very pretty
● You mustn’t go like this
● He’s good (but I can’t trust him)
● I can do it tomorrow (but not today)
● You owe him an apology (you must admit)
● Come as soon as possible else you might get late
● This isn’t yours
Practice Exercise

Exercise 4: Practice saying the following sentences as questions first, and then
statements. Change the intonation accordingly.

● Mr. Stevens’ not in right now.


● She’s out right now.
● That’s the way you work.
● You have to go home.
● You can’t finish this work today.
● You don’t think its going to be a problem.
● The data seems to be little faulty.
● He won’t be coming in today.
● I will have to sit in the meeting.
● This call has to be terminated

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