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What significant role does intonation play in communication?
What significant role does intonation play in communication?
Intonation is strictly related to phonemes and has no impact on the meaning of utterances.
Intonation is strictly related to phonemes and has no impact on the meaning of utterances.
False (B)
Who describes intonation as the 'music' of speech?
Who describes intonation as the 'music' of speech?
Thornbury
Intonation is a ________ feature of pronunciation, affecting stretches of speech rather than individual segments.
Intonation is a ________ feature of pronunciation, affecting stretches of speech rather than individual segments.
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Match the following functions of intonation with their descriptions:
Match the following functions of intonation with their descriptions:
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Which of the following statements about teachers' views on intonation is true?
Which of the following statements about teachers' views on intonation is true?
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Intonation can be used to express extreme emotions.
Intonation can be used to express extreme emotions.
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Intonation can be seen as a major carrier of ________.
Intonation can be seen as a major carrier of ________.
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Which intonation pattern tends to be used in yes/no questions?
Which intonation pattern tends to be used in yes/no questions?
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Wh questions tend to go up in intonation.
Wh questions tend to go up in intonation.
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What intonation pattern expresses surprise?
What intonation pattern expresses surprise?
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Statements tend to go __________ in intonation.
Statements tend to go __________ in intonation.
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Match the following functions with their corresponding intonation patterns:
Match the following functions with their corresponding intonation patterns:
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In a list of items, when does the intonation typically fall?
In a list of items, when does the intonation typically fall?
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Question tags seeking confirmation tend to go up.
Question tags seeking confirmation tend to go up.
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What do grammatical intonation patterns correspond to?
What do grammatical intonation patterns correspond to?
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The intonation pattern for imperatives tends to go __________.
The intonation pattern for imperatives tends to go __________.
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What intonation is used when giving polite advice?
What intonation is used when giving polite advice?
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What function of intonation indicates the difference between statements and questions?
What function of intonation indicates the difference between statements and questions?
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High pitch is strongly associated with known information in English.
High pitch is strongly associated with known information in English.
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Name one characteristic of languages with a wide pitch range.
Name one characteristic of languages with a wide pitch range.
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In spoken language, tone units can be broken down into _______.
In spoken language, tone units can be broken down into _______.
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Match the type of tone with its description:
Match the type of tone with its description:
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What is the tonic syllable?
What is the tonic syllable?
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A high rise means the pitch starts at a high position and increases further.
A high rise means the pitch starts at a high position and increases further.
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What is the difference in pitch range typically found between English and Spanish?
What is the difference in pitch range typically found between English and Spanish?
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The stressed syllable before the tonic syllable is called an _______ syllable.
The stressed syllable before the tonic syllable is called an _______ syllable.
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Match the terms related to pitch movement:
Match the terms related to pitch movement:
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What is the main rhythmic pattern of English speech?
What is the main rhythmic pattern of English speech?
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Rhythm in speech relates to a pattern of air pressure pulses.
Rhythm in speech relates to a pattern of air pressure pulses.
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How many tone units can the phrase 'If you finish quickly leave the room.' be broken into?
How many tone units can the phrase 'If you finish quickly leave the room.' be broken into?
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The pronunciation feature that indicates stress and weak syllable compression in connected speech is known as _______.
The pronunciation feature that indicates stress and weak syllable compression in connected speech is known as _______.
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Match the example with its respective analysis:
Match the example with its respective analysis:
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What does the term 'discourse' refer to?
What does the term 'discourse' refer to?
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Intonation only serves to convey emotions in spoken language.
Intonation only serves to convey emotions in spoken language.
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What is a 'proclaiming tone'?
What is a 'proclaiming tone'?
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In discourse intonation, the term 'referring tone' refers to an intonation pattern that __________.
In discourse intonation, the term 'referring tone' refers to an intonation pattern that __________.
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Match the following intonation terms with their descriptions:
Match the following intonation terms with their descriptions:
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What role does intonation play in signaling a change of topic?
What role does intonation play in signaling a change of topic?
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Intonation patterns have no bearing on the interpretation of lists in spoken language.
Intonation patterns have no bearing on the interpretation of lists in spoken language.
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How does a falling tone typically function in a discourse?
How does a falling tone typically function in a discourse?
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What is considered a key aspect in communication according to Jenkins?
What is considered a key aspect in communication according to Jenkins?
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Intonation is essential when teaching English as a Lingua Franca.
Intonation is essential when teaching English as a Lingua Franca.
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What is the definition of 'Pitch'?
What is the definition of 'Pitch'?
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A _______ unit is a sub-division of an utterance that contains a tonic syllable.
A _______ unit is a sub-division of an utterance that contains a tonic syllable.
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Match the following terms related to intonation with their definitions:
Match the following terms related to intonation with their definitions:
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Which teaching technique is suggested for modeling intonation effectively?
Which teaching technique is suggested for modeling intonation effectively?
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Teachers find it easy to identify and model pitch direction accurately.
Teachers find it easy to identify and model pitch direction accurately.
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What research has shown about native speakers and intonation rules?
What research has shown about native speakers and intonation rules?
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Jenkins suggests that intonation should link _______ and meaning.
Jenkins suggests that intonation should link _______ and meaning.
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Match the following examples with their corresponding intonation patterns:
Match the following examples with their corresponding intonation patterns:
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Study Notes
Intonation in Language Learning
- Intonation is a challenging aspect of phonology, with varying opinions on its teachability.
- Some believe the complexity of exceptions makes it unteachable; others believe basic patterns can be taught.
- Intonation is closely linked to grammar, discourse, attitudes, and meaning, often conveying subtle messages.
- Intonation is a crucial element of sarcasm and irony.
- Intonation is the "music" of speech, using voice pitch to convey meaningful changes.
- It's a suprasegmental feature, affecting entire stretches of speech, not just individual sounds.
- Discourse intonation, a more recent approach, uses fewer, simpler constituents for a more coherent system.
- Discourse is any language beyond the sentence level, marked by shifts in focus, references, and topics. Intonation signifies these shifts.
Defining Intonation Terms
Pitch and Range
- Pitch is the relative level of speech, not volume or speed.
- Pitch range is the difference between a speaker's highest and lowest pitch.
- Pitch range varies between languages (e.g., English has a wider range than Spanish).
- Learners need to adjust their pitch range depending on the target language.
Tone and Movement
- Tones are pitch movements (rise, fall, fall-rise, rise-fall).
- Tones can be high or low, with varying degrees of movement.
Tone Units
- Tone units are chunks of speech, similar to phrases.
- They can be divided in different ways, depending on context.
- The length of tone units can vary.
- The number of tone units within an utterance vary.
- Tone units can signify shifts in focus or new/old information
Onset and Tonic Syllables
- The tonic syllable is the stressed syllable with the primary pitch movement.
- The onset syllable precedes the tonic syllable.
- Each tone unit has one tonic syllable.
Rhythm
- English has a stress-timed rhythm, where stressed syllables are emphasised more.
- Unstressed syllables are compressed and weakened.
- Regular air pressure pulses relate to meaning.
Basic Rules and Patterns of Intonation
Grammatical Intonation
- Statements tend to fall.
- Imperatives tend to fall.
- Yes/no questions tend to rise.
- Wh-questions tend to fall.
- Question tags seeking confirmation tend to fall.
- Question tags that are uncertain rise.
- Lists typically rise on each item and fall on the last.
Functional and Attitudinal Intonation
- Intonation expresses nuances of attitude, not just the function.
- Examples of attitude-intonation connections: Surprise (fall-rise), Interest (rise), Enthusiasm (high fall), Polite Advice (fall), Criticism (low fall).
Discourse Intonation
- Discourse intonation, a system developed in the 1980s and 90s, simplifies constituent analysis in intonation.
- Intonation signals shifts in focus, references between points, and changes of topic
- Proclaiming tones (rising then falling or just falling) show new information.
- Referring tones (falling then rising) signify reference to already known information.
Intonation and Lingua Franca Core
- Intonation's nuances are extensive, requiring considerable classroom time.
- Native speakers don't strictly adhere to intonation 'rules'.
- Teaching pitch direction is often challenging for teachers.
- Focusing on tonic stress is more critical for clear communication in a lingua franca context.
- Meaningful differences are found in word stress and rhythm placements
Conclusion
- Focusing on intonation patterns is difficult, but crucial.
- Integrate intonation into existing lessons.
- Exaggerate intonation when modeling and practicing.
- Distinguish between recognizing and producing intonation.
- Keep intonation simple; concentrate on widening voice range.
- Link intonation form to its meaning clearly.
- Concentrate on patterns relevant to learners.
- Focus on stress and rhythm alongside intonation.
- Use contrast in teaching: good/bad models. Comparing Ll and L2.
- Mimicry & shadowing are helpful practice methods
Terminology Review
- Pitch: The level of the voice—high, mid, or low.
- Range: The distance between the lowest and highest pitch in a language. English has a wide range.
- Tone Unit (or Tone Group): A subdivision of an utterance containing a tonic syllable. It is shown graphically by slanted lines.
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Description
Explore the nuances of intonation in language learning, highlighting its link to phonology, grammar, and meaning. This quiz covers essential concepts such as pitch, range, and the role of intonation in conveying attitudes and emotions. Test your understanding of how these elements interplay in effective communication.