INTONATION

INTONATION

When we speak, the pitch of our voice keeps on rising and falling according to the usage of a sentence. Some parts of our sentences are spoken at a high pitch, while others are spoken at a low pitch. This up and down way of speaking, or rise and fall of pitch in voice,  is called intonation.  It can also be said as variation. While doing so, the vocal chords slacken or tighten.

Intonation is significant variation in pitch from one part of an utterance to another. Stress and Intonation are linked phenomena. They work together to give the effect of prominence of accent. Accented syllables can be said with level pitch, high or low or with a change in pitch. The pitch creates the differences in meaning.

In pronouncing a sentence, intonation is very important. Just a change or pitch can change the meaning.

Intonation is of three types:

1.      Rising intonation

2.      Falling intonation

3.      Rising and falling intonation.

4.      Falling and rising

1] The rising intonation:-

It generally takes place when we want to assert some point or give command or order or in a quesiton.

a.       The girl has gone. [doubt]                                d. Do you want to go?

b.      That is not what   I mean.  [protest]                 e. what is your name? 

c.       You have returned  back. [surprise]                f. I went to see hium.

2] The Falling Intonation:-

It occurs when we have courtesy and politeness for some one or regretting and feeling sad and expressing sorrow.

1.      Alas!   She is not alive.

2.      I am very    sorry.

3] The Rising and Falling Intonation:-

            While counting numbers  1, 2, 3, 4, 5,

            While telling names of items  book, pen, orange, apple, bag

            Excitement     Ravi is a great player.

So intonation brings a rhythmic flow in the language and become musical. It plays an important role in the language speech.

4] Falling and Rising.

1. She was ‘upset.  [but did not cry]

2. I ‘saw him.

SIGNS OF INTONATIONS

A syllable on which a pitch change takes place is usually marked with one of the following signs.

1.      [           ]           high to low – high fall

2.      [           ]           mid to very low – low fall

3.      [           ]           very low to very high – high rise

4.      [           ]           low to mid – low rise

5.      [           ]           mid to low and rises – fall rise

6.      [           ]           low to mid and falls – rise fall

These symbols  show  how a pitch varies.

Static tone :- pitch level does not change.

Kinetic tone :- pitch changes.