Suprasegmentals: Pitch and Intonation
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Questions and Answers

What is the common intonation pattern used in open lists?

  • A high rise followed by a low fall.
  • A low fall on all elements.
  • A low rise in all elements except the last.
  • A low rise in all elements. (correct)

In dependent elements following an independent clause, what tone is typically used?

  • A flat intonation.
  • A fall-rise.
  • A low rise. (correct)
  • A high fall.

In parenthetical information, how is the tone generally characterized?

  • Low pitch with a flat intonation scheme.
  • Low pitch, rapid delivery, and reduced loudness. (correct)
  • Consistent pitch with emphasis.
  • High pitch and slow delivery.

What type of syllable is primarily used in tone units with additional information?

<p>Rising tonic syllable. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What intonation pattern is common for dependent elements when they precede an independent clause?

<p>Fall-rise. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does assimilation of consonants in connected speech typically imply?

<p>Blending consonants for ease of pronunciation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In connected speech, what is the primary focus of speakers as they communicate?

<p>The content of what they are saying. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are tone units typically structured when including parenthetical information?

<p>They are divided into two parts. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of assimilation in speech?

<p>To reduce articulatory effort and increase fluency (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes elision in connected speech?

<p>The omission of sounds not essential to meaning (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does linked speech facilitate fluency?

<p>By combining word-final and word-initial sounds (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about unaccented syllables is accurate?

<p>They can be reduced to sounds like [É™], [i], or [u] (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which context is assimilation most likely to occur?

<p>In rapid, casual speech (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phonological characteristic does assimilation primarily affect?

<p>The articulatory features of sounds (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phonetic change occurs when a sound is assimilated?

<p>The sound adopts characteristics of adjacent sounds (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences illustrates elision?

<p>What do you want? (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these represents a characteristic of connected speech?

<p>Alterations based on the surrounding sounds (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to vowel sounds in reduced triphthongs?

<p>They may simplify to mono- or diphthongs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason assimilation occurs during speech production?

<p>To simplify speech production (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of assimilation occurs when the preceding sound influences the following sound?

<p>Progressive Assimilation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the phenomenon of two adjacent sounds merging into one?

<p>Fusion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of assimilation based on the manner of articulation?

<p>Shifting an alveolar sound to a labiodental (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phonological feature is most commonly the basis for assimilation?

<p>Point of articulation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does coarticulation in connected speech refer to?

<p>Overlapping of articulation movements (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Elision can lead to which of the following phenomena in quick speech?

<p>Dropping of certain sounds (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of assimilation, how is 'mutual influence' characterized?

<p>Both sounds alter features from one another (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does assimilation have on listener perception of speech?

<p>Enhances naturalness of speech (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When does de-alveolarization commonly occur in speech processes?

<p>During casual speech articulation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens during coalescent assimilation?

<p>Adjacent consonant sounds merge into one, incorporating features from both. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Regressive assimilation primarily affects which of the following?

<p>A final consonant sound influenced by an initial consonant sound. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes progressive assimilation?

<p>It is the influence of a preceding sound on a subsequent sound. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of reciprocal assimilation?

<p>Two adjacent consonants change phonetically in both directions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of assimilation is characterized by the dental nature of sounds?

<p>Reciprocal assimilation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which function of intonation helps in distinguishing between new information and old information?

<p>Discourse Function (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does intonation play in expressing the speaker's expectations about a listener's response?

<p>Discourse Function (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which function of intonation differentiates the syntactic structures of sentences?

<p>Grammatical Function (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which function does intonation act as a marker of personal identity?

<p>Naturalness Function (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which intonation function is responsible for drawing attention to specific information in speech?

<p>Accentual Function (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does intonation help to signal regarding the structure of spoken discourse?

<p>It indicates the boundaries of phrases and clauses. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does intonation contribute to turn-taking in conversation?

<p>It indicates speaker intention to continue or finish speaking. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of rising tones in discourse according to the functions of intonation?

<p>They denote old information. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of intonation as outlined in the provided content?

<p>Phonological Function (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In tone languages, what role does intonation primarily play?

<p>It conveys lexical meaning. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Open Lists

A sequence of items with a consistent tone (except the last).

Dependent Elements

Incomplete phrases/clauses attached to independent clauses, having a rising tone.

Dependent Element Tone

Dependent elements have a rising tone, fall-rise if before the main clause, a low rise if after.

Parenthetical Information

Additional or less important information in a speech, with a rising tonic syllable, often interrupting the main clause.

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Parenthetical Tone

It typically has a rising tonic syllable and is spoken with a low pitch, faster pace, and reduced loudness.

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Assimilation of Consonants

Changes in pronunciation of consonants due to the influence of surrounding sounds in connected speech.

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Connected Speech Processes

The ways sounds interact to create connected speech and variations from anticipated sounds.

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Connected Speech

Rapid speech, where focus is on meaning over precise pronunciation.

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Assimilation (Phonology)

A sound changing to be more like an adjacent sound in connected speech. This makes speech smoother.

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Articulatory Gestures

The movements your mouth and tongue make to produce sounds.

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Eliding Sounds

Leaving out sounds that are not necessary for understanding a word or phrase.

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Sound Reduction

Reducing vowels to simplified sounds (like 'uh') in unstressed syllables.

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Linking or Liaison

Connecting sounds between words for smoother pronunciation.

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Speech Economy

Speaking in the most efficient way using the least amount of effort.

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Adjacent Sounds

Sounds close together in a word or phrase.

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Phonological Process

A rule that changes the sounds in a language, like assimilation.

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Careful Pronunciation

Exact pronunciation, often used in formal settings.

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Informal Speech

Casual conversation, often with reduced pronunciation and speed changes.

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Assimilation in Speech

The process of a sound changing due to the influence of neighboring sounds in connected speech.

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Ease of Articulation

Assimilation simplifies speech production by minimizing movement between articulatory positions, making it easier to speak.

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Speech Fluency

Assimilation helps speech flow smoothly and efficiently by facilitating transitions between sounds.

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Coarticulation

Overlapping of articulatory movements in connected speech, leading to sound changes due to the physical constraints of speech organs.

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Contextual Influence

Adjacent sounds influence how assimilation occurs, shaping the final sound.

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Progressive Assimilation

A preceding sound influences the following sound.

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Regressive Assimilation

A following sound influences the preceding sound.

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Mutual Influence

Adjacent sounds simultaneously adjust features to influence each other.

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Sound Fusion

Two adjacent sounds merge into one sound, combining features from both.

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Assimilation of Point of Articulation

A consonant's point of articulation changes to match a neighboring consonant.

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Assimilation of Voicing

A consonant sound changes from voiced to voiceless, or vice versa, to match the voicing of a neighbouring consonant.

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Reciprocal Assimilation

Two adjacent consonant sounds influence each other, changing their point of articulation, manner of articulation, and/or voicing.

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Coalescent Assimilation

Two adjacent consonants merge into one, incorporating features from both. This is often called yod coalescence, as it involves merging 't' or 'd' with 'j'.

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Intonation's Role

Intonation is the rise and fall of our voice in speaking, and it serves several vital functions in language.

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Expressing Emotions

Intonation helps us convey feelings like happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise in speech, often going beyond the literal meaning of words.

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Focusing Attention

Intonation allows us to highlight specific information by emphasizing certain words or phrases.

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Grammar in Speech

Intonation helps us understand the structure of sentences, differentiating between questions, statements, and other sentence types.

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Conversation Flow

Intonation helps us manage conversations, signaling when we are finished speaking, if we want a response, and other conversational dynamics.

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New vs. Old Info

Intonation helps us distinguish between new and old information, often using falling tones for new information and rising tones for the known.

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Intonation for Cohesion

Intonation helps create coherence in speech, marking lists, contrasting ideas, or narrating events within a single utterance.

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Recognizing Discourse

Intonation can help identify different types of speech, such as formal pronouncements, casual conversations, or specific regional accents.

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Tone Languages

In some languages like Mandarin, pitch changes convey different words entirely.

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Intonation's Importance

Intonation plays a critical role in language, adding nuance, emotion, and structure to our speech.

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Study Notes

Suprasegmentals - Pitch and Intonation

  • Intonation is the pattern of linguistically significant pitch variations in a stretch of speech.
  • Pitch is an auditory perception corresponding to the vocal folds' vibration rate. A faster vibration rate corresponds to a higher pitch.
  • Pitch range is the highest and lowest limits of the human voice.
  • Tone is a continuous pitch movement from one level to another.
  • Tonality refers to the division of utterances into smaller units, called tone units, intonation phrases, or intonation groups. These units are separated by single vertical lines and sometimes double lines, which also mark pauses.

Suprasegmentals - Tonic Syllables and Elements

  • The tonic syllable (or nucleus) is the syllable carrying the main pitch accent in a tone unit.

  • Other accented syllables before the tonic syllable are marked with symbols.

  • The head encompasses accented syllables up to the tonic syllable.

  • The pre-head is any unaccented syllable before the head.

  • The tail consists of any syllables occurring after the tonic syllable, accented or unaccented.

  • Intonation patterns are used to convey meaning beyond the literal meaning of words.

  • Certain functions include identifying attitudes, marking grammatical structure, expressing speaker intentions and marking discourse flow, and signaling information focus.

Suprasegmentals - Functions of Intonation

  • Attitudinal function: conveys emotions or attitudes beyond the lexical meaning.
  • Accentual/informational/focusing function: highlights specific information to draw attention.
  • Grammatical function: distinguishes between syntactic structures like statements, questions, clauses, etc., and their boundaries.
  • Discourse/cohesive function: links utterances to indicate speaker intentions and expectations. It marks shared knowledge and facilitates discourse structuring
  • Lexico-semantic function: in tone languages, pitch variations convey specific lexical meanings, different from the spoken word, and this is not just connected to intonation but also grammar.

Suprasegmental - Tone Units

  • Utterances can be divided into smaller units called tone units.
  • Usually, a single vertical bar separates these tone units..
  • Two vertical lines, signify a juncture or a greater pause.

Suprasegmentals - Statement Patterns

  • Unmarked statements typically have a high-falling intonation pattern.
  • Different tone contours associated with marked patterns include those reflecting confidence, involvement, and lack of reservation. Other tones may reflect seriousness and detachment.

Suprasegmentals - Question Types

  • Yes/no questions: typically have an unmarked pattern of a low rise, though fall-rise can signal implicational meaning.
  • Wh- questions: sound truly curious, showing a need for information; the unmarked pattern is a high fall.
  • Declarative questions: have the syntactic structure of statements, but the rising intonation pattern identifies them as a question; using different tones shows differing information needs.

Suprasegmentals - Alternative Questions

  • Two or more options are presented in a question.

Suprasegmentals - Questions Tags

  • Question tags are used to confirm/clarify statements, but they are primarily made up of a statement and a positive tag (or uncommonly, a negative tag with a negative statement).

Suprasegmentals- Tag-type Responses

  • There are various patterns depending on whether a preceding statement is affirmative or negative, which in turn dictates the response.

Suprasegmentals - Intonation in Different Spoken Genres

  • Speakers use a range of possible intonation patterns depending on the particular situation/context. This variability is inherent to language, and shows the speaker's various intentions.

Suprasegmentals - Intonation in Relation to Other Aspects of Spoken Communication

  • Intonation is inherently intertwined with other aspects of spoken communication such as discourse, context, and personal meaning.

Suprasegmentals - Other Features of Intonation

  • intonation patterns may reflect personal identity and different kinds of discourse. These may appear as differences in intonation depending on the type of speaker or the speech genre.

Assimilation of Consonants in Connected Speech

  • Assimilation alters neighbouring sounds to help make speech smoother and more efficient.
  • It may involve voicing changes or changes in place or manner of articulation.
  • These changes sometimes are unconscious to listeners.
  • Assimilation changes are present in fast speech, casual speech, and speech that has a speed or a style of formality.
  • There are various types of assimilation: progressive in one direction and regressive in the opposite direction. There is also reciprocal assimilation.

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Description

Explore the world of suprasegmentals with this quiz focused on pitch and intonation. Learn about key concepts such as tone, tonality, and the significance of tonic syllables in language. Test your understanding of how these elements affect speech patterns.

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