Intonation Pattern II

(Low pre-head +) descending head+ low fall (+ tail)

(Low pre-head) + high level head + low fall (+ tail)

Stress-and-tone marks in the text:

Stressed syllables of the descending head:

the first stressed syllable [ æ ]

any following stressed syllables of the head [ ' ]

The first stressed syllable of the descending head is pronounced on the high level pitch. Sometimes it is pronounced with a slight rise. The following stressed syllables have level pitch and form a descending sequence until the nucleus is reached, unstressed syllables may either carry the pitch down as in Model 1 (the Falling Head) or they may he pronounced on the level of the preceding stressed syllable as in Model 2 (the Stepping Head). The Low Fall in the nucleus starts somewhat lower than the mid level. If there are any unstressed syllables before the first stressed syllable they are said on a rather low pitch.

This intonation pattern is used:

1. In statements, final, categoric, considered.

e. g. How much did you pay It æ costs over 'two 'hundred pounds.

for it?

What is the weather like? I æ think it is 'going to _\rain.

2. In special questions, serious, responsible, intense, often suggesting irritability or impatience.

e. g. Will you lend me your àWhat do you _\want it for?

pen?

Go and see him tomorrow. æWhat 'place does he _\live in?

3. In imperatives, firm, serious, pressing.

e. g. I can't think what to do. æ Leave it en'tirely to _\me, then.

I'm afraid I've made æ Copy it 'out a_\gain, then.

a mistake.

4. In exclamations, rather emphatic.

e. g. The exams are over at last. à Isn't it _\wonderful!

It's my birthday today. æ Many 'happy re_\turns!

She refused my help. What aæstrange 'thing to _\do!

Exercises

(Low pre-head) + falling head + low fall (+ tail)

1. a)* Listen carefully to the following conversational situations. Concentrate your attention on the intonation of the replies:

B) Listen to the replies and repeat them in the intervals. Pronounce unstressed syllables in the pre-head as low as possible. Make the stressed syllables of the head carry the pitch lower. Do not forget to blend the words together. Make your voice fall on the last stressed syllable, c) Listen to the verbal context and reply in the interval.

(Low pre-head) + stepping head + low fall (+ tail)

The stepping head makes the utterance more weighty.

2. a)* Listen carefully to the following conversational situations. Concentrate your attention on the intonation of the reply:

B) Listen to the replies and repeat them in the intervals. Pronounce unstressed syllables in the pre-head as low as possible. Make the stressed syllables of the head carry the pitch lower. Observe the same level of stressed and the following unstressed syllables of the head. Do not forget to blend the words together. Then make your voice fall on the last stressed syllable. c) Listen to the verbal context and reply in the interval.

(Low pre-head) + high level head + low fall (+ tail)

When the syllables of the head are pronounced on the high level pitch the head is called the High Level.

3. a)* Listen carefully to the following conversational situations. Concentrate your attention on the intonation of the replies:

B) Listen to the replies and repeat them in the intervals. Observe high level tone of the head. Do not forget to blend the words together. Make your voice fall on the last stressed syllable. c) Listen to the verbal context and reply in the interval.

In order to fix Intonation Pattern II in your mind, ear and speech habits, repeat all the replies yourself until they sound perfectly natural to you. See that your Russian pronunciation habits do not interfere.

Поиск по сайту: