Voice and Accent: Intonation

Voice and Accent

Intonation

• Definition: The rise and fall of pitch when speaking to convey meaning and attitude
• Functions:
  • To convey emotions and attitudes (e.g. excitement, boredom, sarcasm)
  • To distinguish between statements and questions
  • To indicate the relationships between clauses and sentences
  • To add emphasis or contrast
• Types of intonation:
  • Rising intonation: used for questions, incomplete thoughts, or to show uncertainty
  • Falling intonation: used for statements, completed thoughts, or to show certainty
  • Flat intonation: used for neutrality or to show a lack of emotion
• Intonation patterns:
  • Peak: the highest point of intonation in a sentence
  • Trough: the lowest point of intonation in a sentence
  • Wave: a series of peaks and troughs in a sentence

Articulation

• Definition: The way sounds are made by the position and movement of the lips, tongue, and teeth
• Types of articulation:
  • Stops: sounds made by blocking the airflow with the tongue or lips (e.g. /p/, /t/, /k/)
  • Fricatives: sounds made by directing airflow through a narrow channel (e.g. /s/, /z/, /f/)
  • Nasals: sounds made by allowing airflow through the nose (e.g. /m/, /n/, /ng/)
  • Liquids: sounds made by allowing airflow around the tongue (e.g. /l/, /r/)
  • Approximants: sounds made by directing airflow close to the articulation point (e.g. /w/, /h/)
• Places of articulation:
  • Bilabial: sounds made with both lips (e.g. /p/, /b/, /m/)
  • Labiodental: sounds made with the lower lip and upper teeth (e.g. /f/, /v/)
  • Alveolar: sounds made with the tongue behind the upper teeth (e.g. /t/, /d/, /n/)
  • Velar: sounds made with the tongue against the soft palate (e.g. /k/, /g/)
• Manner of articulation:
  • Voiced: sounds made with vibration of the vocal cords (e.g. /b/, /d/, /g/)
  • Voiceless: sounds made without vibration of the vocal cords (e.g. /p/, /t/, /k/)

Voice and Accent

• Intonation is the rise and fall of pitch when speaking to convey meaning and attitude.
• It functions to convey emotions and attitudes, distinguish between statements and questions, indicate relationships between clauses and sentences, and add emphasis or contrast.
• There are three types of intonation: rising, falling, and flat.
• Rising intonation is used for questions, incomplete thoughts, or to show uncertainty.
• Falling intonation is used for statements, completed thoughts, or to show certainty.
• Flat intonation is used for neutrality or to show a lack of emotion.
• Intonation patterns include peak, trough, and wave.

Articulation

• Articulation is the way sounds are made by the position and movement of the lips, tongue, and teeth.
• There are five types of articulation: stops, fricatives, nasals, liquids, and approximants.
• Stops are sounds made by blocking the airflow with the tongue or lips, such as /p/, /t/, and /k/.
• Fricatives are sounds made by directing airflow through a narrow channel, such as /s/, /z/, and /f/.
• Nasals are sounds made by allowing airflow through the nose, such as /m/, /n/, and /ng/.
• Liquids are sounds made by allowing airflow around the tongue, such as /l/ and /r/.
• Approximants are sounds made by directing airflow close to the articulation point, such as /w/ and /h/.
• Places of articulation include bilabial, labiodental, alveolar, and velar.
• Bilabial sounds are made with both lips, such as /p/, /b/, and /m/.
• Labiodental sounds are made with the lower lip and upper teeth, such as /f/ and /v/.
• Alveolar sounds are made with the tongue behind the upper teeth, such as /t/, /d/, and /n/.
• Velar sounds are made with the tongue against the soft palate, such as /k/ and /g/.
• Manner of articulation can be either voiced or voiceless.
• Voiced sounds are made with vibration of the vocal cords, such as /b/, /d/, and /g/.
• Voiceless sounds are made without vibration of the vocal cords, such as /p/, /t/, and /k/.

Verbal Communication

• Face-to-face communication between individuals or groups involving spoken words, tone, and nonverbal cues.
• Formal verbal communication occurs in official meetings, presentations, and negotiations.
• Informal verbal communication occurs in casual conversations, watercooler talks, and social gatherings.
• Clarity is essential to avoid misunderstandings, using clear and concise language.
• Tone conveys emotions and attitudes through the way words are spoken.
• Nonverbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and eye contact, convey meaning.
• Effective verbal communication involves active listening, paying attention to the speaker, asking questions, and clarifying doubts.
• Clear and concise language helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures the message is conveyed effectively.
• Avoiding distractions, such as minimizing interruptions, is crucial for effective verbal communication.

Cross-cultural Communication

• Cross-cultural communication occurs between individuals or groups from different cultural backgrounds.
• Language barriers, cultural differences, and misinterpretation of nonverbal cues are challenges in cross-cultural communication.
• Cultural awareness is essential to understand and appreciate cultural differences.
• Active listening, paying attention to cultural nuances, and adapting communication styles are strategies for effective cross-cultural communication.
• Avoid stereotyping and making assumptions based on cultural background.
• Being flexible and adaptable to different communication styles and norms is crucial.
• Using interpreters when necessary can facilitate communication.
• Being patient and allowing time for cultural adjustments and understanding is essential.

Conflict Resolution

• Conflict resolution is the process of resolving disputes or disagreements in a constructive and respectful manner.
• Interpersonal conflicts occur between individuals, intrapersonal conflicts occur within an individual, and intergroup conflicts occur between groups.
• The conflict resolution steps involve identifying the issue, gathering information, communicating, negotiating, implementing, and evaluating the solution.
• Identifying the issue involves clearly defining the conflict.
• Gathering information involves collecting facts and data.
• Communicating involves open and honest communication to understand perspectives.
• Negotiating involves finding a mutually beneficial solution.
• Implementing involves putting the agreed solution into action.
• Evaluating involves reviewing and adjusting the solution as needed.
• Effective conflict resolution involves staying calm, managing emotions, and remaining objective.
• Active listening, hearing and understanding the other party's perspective, is essential.
• Focusing on interests, identifying underlying needs and concerns, is crucial for effective conflict resolution.