INTONATION

What is intonation?
Why teach it?
Tones, tonic syllables, tone units
Grammer and intonation
 WHAT IS INTONATION?
• Intonation is about how we say things, rather
than what we say. Without intonation, it's
impossible to understand the expressions and
thoughts that go with words. 
Listen to somebody speaking without paying
attention to the words: the 'melody' you hear
is the intonation. It has the following features:
• It's divided into phrases, also
known as 'tone-units'.
• The pitch moves up and down,
within a 'pitch range'. Everybody
has their own pitch range.
• In each tone unit, the pitch
movement (a rise or fall in tone,
or a combination of the two)
takes place on the most important
syllable known as the 'tonic-
syllable'. The tonic-syllable is
usually a high-content word, near
the end of the unit.
• These patterns of pitch variation
are essential to a phrase's
meaning. Changing the intonation
can completely change the
meaning. 
   1.high fall
2.low fall
3.high rise
 4.low rise
5.fall-rise (a very important tone)
6.rise-fall (not a very important tone)
Example: It’s raining.
 WHY TEACH INTONATION?
• Awareness of
intonation aids
communication.
• Incorrect intonation
can result in
misunderstandings,
speakers losing
interest or even
taking offence!
• A: Hi, It is nice to see you again. Are you still working in department
store ?
• B : No, I'm not. I am working in restaurant. I am a waiter !
• A : Waiter! It should be so interesting.
• B : Sure. I am also studying "tourism management" at the college. 
• A: No kidding. Do you like it ?
• B : Yes, I like it a lot. How about you ? What are you doing these
days ?
• A : I' m still working in a restaurant, too. I am chef!
• B : Good!
 GRAMMER AND INTONATION
• Wh-word questions: Falling
intonation( Where do you/Live?)
• Yes/No questions: Rising(Do you
want to/TEA or COFfee?)
• Statements: Falling( We live
in/MOScow)
• Imperatives: Falling (STOP it! ,
Sit/DOwn)
• Question-Tags: Rising(You /LIVE
here, /DON’T you?)
• Lists: Rising, rising, falling(You
need a pen, a pencil and some
paper.
Meltem YILDIRIM