Intonation in English & Arabic

Done by :
Fatma Ahmed AbuKaydah
220080754 (201)
Definition of the intonation :

Cook :” the rise and fall of the voice

during speech “

Kharma &Hajjaj : “ the distinctive use of

pitch , or melody in sentence.
Functions of intonation :

 In grammatical structure .

 Clarify the contrast between different

question types & the way which question
differ from statement .

 Express speaker’s attitude .

The importance of intonation in
social interaction :
 Turn-talking

 Information structure

 Distinguishing the meaning

Intonation pattern :
two basic patterns :

1. Falling intonation.
2. Rising intonation .
What is falling intonation ?

 a pattern in which your voice falls to

low pitch by the end of the thought
group or statement .
What it dose communicate ?

Certainty :
You are telling the fact or you are right .

Completion :
You are done from speaking .
Falling intonation :

 Declarative sentence .

 WH- question .

 Commands .
What is rising intonation ?

 Conveys your impression

 It use on :
Yes – No questions.
open choice alternative questions.
Types of English intonation :

 High – Fall :
The voice starts high and falls to law
pitch .
We use it in :
*Polite , friendly verb less .
*Polite & affirmative structure .
ex. This is diving room .
 Low – Rise :
The voice starts at low or medium pitch
and rises to high pitch .
We use it in :
When expecting agreement in tag-
question structure .
ex. You like to drink tea , don't you ?
 Low – Fall :
The voice starts medium pitch and falls to
low pitch .
We use it in :
In cold expressions verb less .
ex. Good
 Low –Rise :
The voice starts low and rises to medium
pitch .
We use it in :
Friendly & polite expression in an
interrogative structure .
ex. Do you live near here ?
Fall –Rise :
The voice starts high then falls then rise .

We use it in :
Expressing partial agreement
ex . He is flying to London .
 Rise – Fall :
The voice starts in medium pitch then rises
and then falls .
We use it in :
Expressing impressions in a form of
verb less structure .
ex . Fantastic
Intonation patterns in Arabic :
 The
differences
a) Tag question
between
English
and Arabic
intonation
pattern : English
Arabic Rising : agreement
Always rising Falling : denoting
Agreement
b) Calling on persons

English : we have
2 cases

Name is stressed on Name is stressed on

last syllable ,it take First syllable ,it take
High intonation High fall pattern
ex. Marie ex. Jane
b) Calling on persons

Arabic

when there is a long

The most commonly
distance between the
used pattern is high
two person we use
fall pattern .
high pattern .
activities for teaching English
intonation :
 Teacher must be aware of different
function of intonation .

 Use conversation in order to turn-talking

, supporting , questioning .

 Have assistant ( record – native

speakers)
 Teacher can use role play and drama
activities ( play – stories…..)

 Intonation can also teach by fun and

games .

 Teachers can express their attitude and

feeling by using intonation .
Practice :

Say “ Hello “
 To a friend you meet regularly .

 To a friend you haven’t seen for 10

years .

 To a friend whom you don’t like .