Functions of intonation

pages 119 and 123 from http://ru.scribd.com/doc/87554175/94/Functions-of-intonation

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dDVR_zh5wkMC&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=functions+of+intonation+phonetics+%26+phonology&source=bl&ots=xlkM0Rf6km&sig=xnhvOi2gvvg0SIvn3ndgamiGthE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8bZ5UOm5DKHi4QT__YC4DQ&ved=0CFEQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=functions%20of%20intonation%20phonetics%20%26%20phonology&f=false

page 256 from http://ru.scribd.com/doc/26663958/24/FUNCTIONS-OF-INTONATION-IN-ENGLISH

Hawkins (1984) believes that there are three basic properties in intonation. They are:

1. It is universal, which every language makes use of intonation, and spoken language is not monotonous. For example, English makes use of changes in tone as part of the sentence phrase, while the Chinese uses it as lexical distinction,

2. Intonation has its own functions and purposes in spoken language, and not for “decorative purposes”,

3. Intonation is systematic because each speaker has to use the same pattern for the same purpose.

As we already know, intonation plays a lot of roles in an English utterance. Many linguists have suggested several functions of intonation. Roach (1991) stated that there are four functions of intonation in English which are often proposed. They are:

1. It enables the speakers to express their emotions or attitudes, and this function is called attitudinal function of intonation. For example, a bored person would likely to use a level tone when answering a question.

2. Intonation also helps to produce the prominent effect on syllables that need to be perceived as stressed. This will mark out the word as the most important in the utterance. For example (as given in Roach), (a) is non- emphatic and (b) is emphatic:

(a) It was very BOring.
(b) It was VEry boring.

This intonation function is called the accentual function.

3. Intonation plays a role in grammar, which is called the grammatical function of intonation. The listener is better able to identify the grammar and syntactic structure of what is being said. For instance, in differentiating whether an utterance is a question or a statement.

4. Finally, intonation also has a discourse function. In a conversation, for example, it helps the listener to recognise whether the information is new or already given, and to give the appropriate and expected response.

Roach (1991) added that though the functions of intonation is identified and categorised, these functions can sometimes overlap. For example, attitudinal function may overlap with the discourse function of intonation.

43. Rhythm a strong regular repeated pattern of sounds or movements

http://wikieducator.org/The_English_Rhythm

http://www.pronunciationtips.com/rhythm.htm

Date: 2015-02-16; view: 1384