IntonationPart 2
A New Expression That’s music to my ears! means . . . That’s wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that!
“You’re such a kind person. I love spending time with you.” “Ah, that’s music to my ears!”
“That dress looks so beautiful on you, sweetie. I love it!” “Oh! Thank you, dear. Now that’s music to my ears!”
Intonation Remember, intonation is a little bit like adding music to your speech.
4 Extra High 3 High red 2 Mid Jane is wearing to- 1 Low day. The prominent element of the sentence, red, coincides with the main pitch movement.
Don’t speak too fast! Speaking slowly allows others to understand you better. In addition, you can make better use of intonation when you speak more slowly.
Fast Speaker When he sees how lovely and sweet and PRETty she is, he’ll thank his lucky stars he was asked to DINner. From The Glass Menagerie
SLOW Speaker When he sees how LOVEly and SWEET and PRETty she is, he’ll thank his lucky STARS he was asked to DINner. From The Glass Menagerie
Declarative Statements 2-3-1 John’s SICK. 4 Extra High 3 High AS- 2 Mid He’s taken an pir- 1 Low in.
Commands & Requests 2-3-1 Fix me some SOUP. 4 Extra High 3 High NOOD- 2 Mid Please add 1 Low les.
Unfinished Statements 2-3-2 Notice the slight rise at the end. John’s SICK . . . (. . . but I think he’s going to work anyway.) He’s taken an ASpirin . . . (. . . but I don’t know if it helped or not.) She said she was aLONE . . . (. . . but I’m not sure I believe her.)
Unfinished Statements Creating Suspense 2-3-2 Notice the slight rise at the end. I opened the old SUITcase . . . (. . . and found a million dollars!) I told her the NEWS . . . (. . . and she fainted!) He opened the door to the haunted house . . . ( . . . and a hundred bats came flying out!)
Yes-No Questions (with question word order) 2-3 Have you GOT a minute? Can I ask you a QUEStion?
Yes-No Questions (statement word order) 2-3; 2-4 Look like statements Function as questions The plane LEFT already? (2-3 = neutral confirmation question) (2-4 = great surprise or disbelief: I was supposed to be on it!) It left from Gate 47? (2-3 = neutral confirmation question) (2-4 = great surprise or disbelief: They told me Gate 23!)
Repitition Questions 2-3 WHAT are you doing? (I didn’t hear you. Can you repeat what you said?)
Repitition Questions 2-4; 3-4 “I’m going skydiving this weekend.” WHAT are you doing? (I can’t believe you’re going to do that! Are you crazy?) You’re doing WHAT? (This word order – along with the intonation – indicates the highest level of surprise.)
Tag Questions (Signaling Uncertainty) 2-3 He usually arrives around NOON, DOESn’t he? (I think he arrives around noon, but I’m not sure.) We have a holiday next Friday, DON’T we? (I think we do, but I’m not sure.)
Jack and Jill (a nursery rhyme) Jack and Jill went up the hill, To fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after. Now let’s take a look at a possible conversation between Jack and Jill.
Jack and Jill Jill: Good morning, Jack. Jack: Hi, Jill. Where’re you going? Jill: Just up the hill. Do you want to come along? Jack: Sure. What’s that you’re carrying? Jill: That’s my bucket. I’m going to fetch a pail of water. Jack: Didn’t you hear about the rockslides? After the rains, the winds, and the earthquake, they say the path is dangerous. Jill: Oh, I’m not afraid. And you’re not either, are you? Jack: Oh, I suppose not. Let’s go.
A Final Word Remember, there’s no set way to use intonation. Use your voice to express what you want to express!
