1. Unit 13 Types of Intonation in English

2. Intonation in English
English intonation is an important means in expressing one’s feelings and meanings.
It may convey some delicate implications and emotions when it is said with different intonations.

3. I. Definition 0f intonation:
Briefly speaking, intonation means the rise and the fall of the pitch o f the voice during speech.
II. Basic Tones and Their Training
a) Basic tones English tones are divided into two categories, namely, static tones and kinetic tones:
(1) Static tones the tones which remain at the same height are called static tones. They are high level and low level.
(2) Kinetic tones ----the tones which glide from one height to another are called kinetic tones .They are high fall, low fall, high rise , low rise , high fall-rise, and low fall-rise.

4. III. Tone-group
In speech flow, the basic unit of the English intonation is a tone-group. It is comparatively
complete in meaning. The intonation of the whole tone-group is called a tune.

5. IV. Functions of tunes and their uses
The most commonly used tunes in English are Falling, Rising and
Falling-rising . Their functions will be dealt with respectively according to the
four types of sentences, i.e., the declarative sentence, interrogative
sentence, imperative sentence and exclamatory sentence.
1. Falling tune
The falling tune is used basically to express definiteness and
completeness. It is often used in declarative sentences, special questions,
imperative sentences and exclamatory sentences.
A. Declarative sentence
When used in declarative sentences, the falling tune expresses
definiteness, completeness and subjective attitude of the speaker. Other
implications it has are seriousness, confidence, stubborness, clarity,
straightforwardness, etc. The low fall has cool, depressed or stern coloring.
In enumerating things, the fall is used at the end to show completeness.
B. Interrogative sentences
(1) special questions
Used in special questions, the falling tune sounds clearcut and
straightforward. The high fall is delightful and pleasant; the low fall may
sometimes sound flat and unsympathetic, phlegmatic and agitated, quite
often even hostile. Consequently it is less commonly used.

6. (2) General questions
When a falling tune is applied to a general question, the speaker,
who has already his own view in mind , puts the question forward as a
suggestion or a subject for discussion rather than a request for immediate
information. However, a low fall sounds phlegmatic, depressed or agitated.
General questions with “will you “ at the beginning have as good as the function of imperative sentences and are often read with a fall.
The negative forms of General questions have the function of exclamatory sentences.
( 3) Disjunctive questions
The falling tune used in questions –tags in the disjunctive questions
indicates that the speaker hopes to get confirmation from the listener.
C. Imperative sentences
The falling tune, often used in imperative sentences, indicates
enthusiasm, firmness, and sincerity. But sometimes it has the implications
of coldness and sterness.
D. Exclamatory sentences
The falling tune is very common with exclamatory sentences and
indicates moods and feelings, giving great weight and emphasis to them.

7. 2. Rising tune
The rising tune indicates basically lack of definiteness and incompleteness.
It is very common with general questions. It is also used in imperative
sentences in a delightful mood and declarative sentences with a question
mark at the end.
A. Declarative sentence
the rising tune used in the declarative sentence expresses doubt. The
speaker has something more to say, but the listener is expected to say
something so that the conversation may be carried on .The low rise
sometimes indicates surprise, criticism or unsatisfactory rebut.
B. interrogative sentences
1)Special questions
The rising tune used in special questions indicates that the speaker
intends to make clear about the question, sometimes it may express an
interest on the part of the speaker. If the nucleus is on the interrogative
word, such feelings as surprise, dissatisfaction or opposition may be implied.

8. 2) General questions
The rising tune is very common with general questions; other tunes
are only used in special situations.
3) Disjunctive questions
The rising tune is used on the second part of the disjunctive
question, i.e., the question-tag when the speaker expects from the
listener an answer, whether positive or negative.
C. Imperative sentences
The rising tune is seldom used in imperative sentences. However, it
may be used in speaking to children or in short imperative sentences. The
rising tune sounds milder and more sincere than the falling tune. The low
rise indicates advice and encouragement.
D. Exclamatory sentences
The rising tune is seldom used in exclamatory sentences. But short
ones are read with a low rise, which sounds delightful with the implications of
encouragement and casualness.
Besides, some sentences of greetings are spoken with a low rise to show
friendliness, sounding lively.

9. 3. Falling-rising tune
The falling-rising tune is also widely used in English. It combines the
function of the Fall and that of the Rise with a change of mind. It is used to
show contrast, reservation , implication, disagreement, contradiction or
warning, etc.
A. Declarative sentence
The Falling-rising tune used in declarative sentences indicates
incompleteness and
Implications, such as concession, gratitude, regret, apology, request,
reproach and rebut, etc.
B. Interrogative sentences
1) Special questions
The Falling-rising tune used in the special question is stronger than the Rising tune .It expresses surprise, interest, request, sympathy, disgust and disbelief, etc.
2) General Questions
The Falling-rising used in the general question can express hesitation ,
request, agitation, exaggeration, etc. No answer is expected by the speaker.
3) Disjunctive question

10. C. Imperative sentence
The falling-rising tune used in the imperative sentence expresses a
warning or urgent request.
D. Exclamatory sentence
The Falling-rising tune is seldom used in exclamatory sentences.
However, when used, it expresses enthusiasm, appreciation, sympathy,
encouragement, regret and contempt, etc.