Hebron University

Department of English Language

Linguistics II
Intonation (241-246)
Lecture 7
Dr: Ibrahim Al Sabateen
2019-2020

Linguistics II \ Intonation \Dr. Ibrahim Sabateen 04/09/20 1

 Definition of Intonation

 It can be defined as the distinctive use of pitch or melody.

Pitch: refers to the rate of vibration of the local cords.

It can be defined as the rise and fall of the voice in speaking.

Intonation, in phonetics, the melodic pattern of an utterance. Intonation is primarily a

matter of variation in the pitch level of the voice.

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What are the purposes of intonation?

There are three main purposes:

 1-It can be used as a signal of grammatical structure , where it has a role

similar to punctuation in writing.

 2-It can be used as to show grammatical contrasts the difference

between question and statements.

 3-I t can be used to convey the attitude of the speaker.

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 Intonation and Stress

Intonation is very closely related to stress.

Examples:
‘John came here.(emphasis on John)
John ‘came here.(emphasis on came)
John came ‘here.(emphasis on here)
Intonation is different. The rise and fall of the voice during speech convey a
different type of meaning from stress.
In the example above, the sentence is said with a rising pitch is a question.

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 John came here. Rising pitch

 John came here. Falling pitch

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 Questions

1- How does intonation differ from stress?

2- What are the main purposes of intonation?

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 Intonation Patterns

The most common English intonation patterns.

1-Falling Intonational Pattern.

2-Rising Intonational Pattern.

3-Falling-Rising Intonational Pattern.

4-Rising-Falling Intonational Pattern.

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 Falling Intonational Pattern.

 This pattern is marked with a fall of the voice from a high pitch to a
relatively very low pitch.
1-Short sentences.
Example: I like coffee. John is a journalist.
2-Wh Questions.
Example: What is your name?
3-Imperatives.
Example: Sit.
4-Question Tag.
Example: You like coffee , don’t you?

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 Rising Intonational Pattern
 This pattern is marked by a rise in the voice from a very low pitch to a
relatively very high pitch.
1-Statements intended to encourage the listener.
Example: Come on , you can make it.
2-Yes-no questions.
Example : Do you like coffee?
3-Questions showing sympathy.
Example : What are you going to do?
4-Questions tag(When the speaker expect a negative reply.)
Example: You liked that movie , didn’t you?
5-Incomplete sentences(When the speaker intends to continue.)
Example: When I went out…………………
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 Falling-Rising Intonational Pattern

 This pattern is marked by a fall in the voice from a high pitch to a very low one ,and
then a rise from the low pitch to a very high one again.
1- Correcting people.
Example: You surely want the briefcase for you.
Oh no . It’s for my son.
2-Showing differences of opinion.
Example: This is a cheap watch.
Oh no . It’s very expensive.
3-Implying something else.
Example: The worker left angrily.(The speaker implies that the worker may not turn up the
next day.)
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 Rising-Falling Intonational Pattern

 This pattern is marked by a rise from a low pitch to a high one and then fall from
a very high pitch to a low one.

Note : This pattern is less common than the previous ones.

1-We use it to express certainty as opposed to doubt.

Example : His name is Ali.(If I am certain about the person’s name)

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 Questions

1-What are the main intonational patterns?

2-In what communicative context is each used?

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 Linking /r/

 In Received Pronunciation (RP),the sound /r/ only occurs before vowels ,

never before consonants.
Examples:
Learn / lein /

Sort / so:t /

Farm / fa:m /

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 In Received Pronunciation (RP),the sound /r/ only occurs if it is
immediately followed by a word beginning wit a vowel sound.
Examples:
1- never /nevə /

2- never again /nevər əgen/

/r/ the linking /r/

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 Examples

1- better of / /

2-here it is / /

3-four or five / /

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1- better of / betə rof /

2-here it is / hi əritiz /

3-four or five / fo:ro:faiv /

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 Thanks for Listening
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