Pitch, Contour and Terminal Pertemuan 10 Matakuliah: G0332/English Phonology Tahun: 2007

Bina Nusantara Pitch is a necessary accompaniment to the vibration of the vocal cords. There are four levels of pitch, which are used to make distinction in meaning. They are: 4 extra – high 3 high 2 normal 1 low Intonation Contour 3

Bina Nusantara Pitches combine into patterns to make meaningful melodies over the whole phrase or sentence. These melodies have three methods of closure, which are called terminal junctures or just terminals. There are three kinds of terminals: 1. Fading terminal : a rapid fade away of the voice into silence, symbolized by /↓/ 2. Rising terminal : a short, slight rise in pitch from the last level, symbolized by /↑/ 3. Sustained terminal: a slight lengthening of the preceding pitch 3 word, symbolized by / → / Terminals 4

Bina Nusantara Contour Pattern ↓ or 2 2 1↓ a. statement or declarative sentence b. command c. question word question ↑ or 2 2 3↑ a. Yes no question in statement form b. yes no question in question form c. initial grammatical unit (phrase or clause or sentence segment)

Bina Nusantara Contour Pattern → (sign incompleteness) a. initial grammatical unit (phrase or clause) b. statement, usually followed by but ↓ or 2 2 3↑ this contour is for a name call. If the person being called does not answer the pattern change into 3 1↓ ↑ On individual question, this signal a request for repetition of some part of the preceding message ↓ On individual question, this signal a request for further information.

Bina Nusantara Contour Pattern ↑ or 2 3↑ This is used on a stressed word, phrase or clause in a series 8. Repetition of the previous pitch. This is used for a quoted clause of ‘he said’ in medial or final position ↑ or 2 2 3↑ This is used for calling names at the end of the sentence ↑ ↓ This contour signals a choice of two possibilities ↑2 3 3↑ This proposes a yes no question.

Bina Nusantara Meaning differences Different signs of stress, pitch and juncture can cause meaning differences I called Bill a doctor↓ : means : I called a doctor to help Bill I called Bill ↓ a doctor ↓: means : I called Bill who was a doctor Stress, pitch and juncture signs can also used to emphasize a certain word.