The features of each language, as is known, are determined not only by its grammatical or lexical, but also by phonetic features. As for such an aspect as intonation in English, it is worth noting that English cannot be compared, for example, with Chinese in terms of toning. However, it can be argued that, compared with Russian, the intonation of English sentences has a significantly more significant function. Therefore, one should consider the main features inherent in English intonation and determine why this or that intonational sound is characteristic of specific speech situations.
General principles of English intonation
Intonation is of particular importance in British, more classic version in English, known for its penchant for preserving traditions. Thus, the possibilities of the English language provide for the use of different types of tones that are capable of expressing different shades of emotions and even interpreting the same sentence in different ways. The peculiarities of the speech structure predetermined a peculiar division of typical language structures in accordance with the rises, falls and other signs characteristic of English intonation. It is important to remember the main components of the correct sound in order not to confuse peculiar phonetic nuances and pronounce words and phrases correctly.
Main components of intonation
It is customary to single out peculiar components of intonation, phenomena that are directly related to pronunciation and, in fact, determine the correctness of speaking in English. These include:
- rate of speech, which includes pauses or, conversely, accelerated pronunciation. Speed parameters are an important component of phonetics;
- melody of speech. This component can be explained by the characteristic rise or fall of the voice in the corresponding phrases and sentences, which creates a certain melody;
- speech rhythm. This parameter can best be explained by the example of the alternation of stressed and unstressed syllables in words;
- timbre of speech, or coloring with the help of sound, which usually depends on the emotional state of the speaker at the moment of speech;
- special, for example, phrasal or logical, which allow you to focus the interlocutor's attention on a specific word or phrase within a speech structure.
So, English intonation has all the above properties, which are important to consider and use to give speech the most accurate shade and style.
Basic intonation tones
A special place is occupied by special tones of English intonation, which are specific methods of intonation of phrases and sentences.
Descending tone
A falling tone in English is a movement of the voice towards a gradual decrease with the sharpest possible lowering of the voice on the very last syllable. Simply put, the sound will move not up, but down. Such a tone is used in those expressions for which categoricalness and complete certainty are typical. This includes orders, threats, as well as more neutral phrases, such as address at the beginning or end of sentences, ordinary narrative statements, and brief exclamations. For example:
What a wonderful weather! - What wonderful weather!
John, come here - John, come here
rising tone
The opposite of a descending tone is a rising tone, which, as it becomes clear, is characterized by a gradual rise in voice. The first syllable is low and the last high. This tone, as a rule, is an indicator of some kind of uncertainty, incompleteness and uncertainty. It can often be found in general questions; it is typical for interrogative sentences with a question, clarification, etc., and is also suitable for listing homogeneous members (except for the last one). Eg:
Will you really come? - Are you really coming?
There were apples, bananas, oranges, and other fruits on the table - There were apples, bananas, oranges and other fruits on the table
Descending-rising tone
A rather unique phenomenon is the falling-rising tone, more typical of colloquial English and used as a means of expressing different emotions: friendly objection, doubt, clarification, etc. It is worth noting that a voice that moves in a pattern of rise and then fall can move even within one word, which is not typical for the Russian language. However, in English this tone is used quite often. Here are some options for its use:
I'm afraid no - I'm afraid not
I have a red pencil, not black - I have a red pencil, not black
It is important to know the difference between tones, because, as it becomes clear from the information described above, they can be used to convey a variety of shades of emotions and convey a specific idea to the listener in the most English way possible. Intonation in English plays an important role and it needs to be paid attention, and then the native speakers of the language will be able to understand what is in front of them - educated person respecting their traditions and rules of pronunciation.
Before we start exploring the features English intonation, I propose to figure out what intonation is in general and why we need to devote our precious time to this topic.
If we take the definition from the dictionary, then intonation is a combination of such elements of speech as melody, rhythm, tempo, intensity, timbre, accent, etc. That is, in simple words, intonation is the sound of speech. It is known that the same message of ours can put the interlocutor to sleep if our speech sounds monotonous, or, on the contrary, it can interest, evoke the emotions and feelings we need, if the speech sounds bright and expressive. In addition, using the intonation we need, we can give it a certain meaning and transmit different signals. We can ask softly or hard demand. We can clarify information or express surprise. We can show concern, uncertainty, polite courtesy or neglect, perseverance, contempt. It turns out that the meaning of our speech depends not only on the right words and grammar, but also on the right intonation.
As a rule, we pay great attention to the study of the sound system of a foreign language, memorize a huge number of lexical units, learn foreign grammar without thinking, at the same time, that in foreign language intonation also has its own rules, different from the rules of intonation of the native language. As a result, the language remains unlearned, which affects the quality of communication. Firstly, when listening, we lose sight of the semantic layer that is transmitted intonationally, and secondly, we transfer the intonation patterns of the native language into English, which leads to a distortion of the message, and, as a result, bewilderment and misunderstanding on the part of native speakers .
In order to learn not only to speak English sentences and phrases, but also to make such sentences and phrases sound in English, we will analyze the features of English intonation in the elements of which it consists:
1) Rhythm 2) Phrase stress 3) Melody of speech
Rhythm
Let's start with the fact that English speech has its own special rhythm, which is achieved through a certain arrangement of pauses in the statement. In English speech, you cannot pause after every word - the statement loses its meaning and sounds at least strange. Native speakers put pauses between semantic segments. As a rule, in everyday speech, semantic segments in oral speech correspond to syntactic segments in grammar. In writing, a pause between syntactic segments is indicated by punctuation marks. In phonetic parsing, a pause looks like a vertical stick | inside a sentence and like two sticks || between offers. So, following the syntax, a separate semantic segment can be distinguished:
1) Two simple sentences.
I remember this lady. It is Mrs. brown.
I remember this lady || It is Mrs. brown.
She loves flowers. Roses are her favorites.
She loves flowers || Roses are her favorites.
2) Equivalent sentences in compound sentences.
I like to swim and she doesn't.
I like to swim| and she doesn't.
I know her but I don't remember her name.
I know her| but I don't remember her name.
3) Main and subordinate sentences in complex-subordinate sentences.
You can go there whenever you want.
You can go there| whenever you want.
If I were you, I would tell her the truth.
If I were you I would tell her the truth.
4) Appeal and main sentence.
Mrs. Nelson, may I have a word with you?
Mrs. Nelson | may I have a word with you?
Nick, will you help me with this luggage?
Nick | will you help me with this luggage?
Excuse me, where is the bus stop, please?
Excuse me| where is the bus stop| please?
5) An introductory word or phrase and a main sentence.
Frankly, I can't remember her face.
Frankly| I can't remember her face.
Actually, I'm busy tomorrow.
Actually| I'm busy tomorrow.
She, I must say, has always been strange.
She| I must say | has always been strange.
6) Parts of a disjunctive question.
You didn't work hard, did you?
You didn't work hard | did you?
She is very clever, isn't she?
She is very smart isn't she?
You won't tell her the truth, will you?
You won't tell her the truth | will you?
Syntactic pause, however, is not an immutable law. In speech, there may be cases when the meaning of one and the same statement depends on the setting of a pause. Therefore, a pause also occurs between phrases and words:
Help keep the dog off!
Help keep the dog off!
Help keep the dog!
Help! Keep the dog off!
Help | keep the dog off!
Help! Don't let the dog in!
You can have cheese salad or quiche.
You can have cheese salad | or quiche.
You can take cheese salad or quiche.
You can have cheese, salad or quiche.
You can have cheese | salad | or quiche.
You can take cheese, lettuce or quiche.
Or, for example, we can say the following statement, pausing in five different ways, depending on what tone we want to convey:
I don't know who she is.
I don't know who she is.
I | don't know who she is.
I | I don't know who she is.
I don't | know who she is.
I don't | know who she is.
I don't know | who she is.
I don't know | who is she.
I | don't know | who she is.
I | don't know | who is she.
Phrase stress
So, rhythm is the alternation of semantic segments in speech. Within any semantic segment there is always a word that is highlighted more strongly than others. This emphasis on certain words is called phrasal stress. Phrase stress always emphasizes the most important thing, important word in a semantic context. And to be more precise, the stressed syllable of such a word is pronounced more strongly. How to understand which word in the semantic segment is the main one? First, the importance of a word can be determined syntactically. If the word belongs to significant words, that is, it is noun, verb, adjective, adverb, then this word is important. If the word refers to service words, that is, it is pronoun, preposition, conjunction, modal or auxiliary verb, article, then it won't matter. This type of phrasal stress is called syntactic phrasal stress:
You must "go there.
Harry is an engi "nee r.
Isn't she "go rgeous!
He is ex "tre mely strong!
Secondly, an important word can be highlighted in a semantic phrase logically. Thus, we highlight the word we need, which we want to emphasize in accordance with the purpose of our statement:
We are planning to fly to Italy.
We are planing fly to Italy.
We are "planning to fly to Italy.
We are planning fly to Italy.
"We are planning to fly to Italy.
We We are planning to fly to Italy.
In addition, phrasal stress serves not only to highlight the word in accordance with the purpose of the statement, but can also affect the meaning of the statement:
I like the white house.
I love this white house. (house color)
I work in the "White House.
I work in the white house (US government agency)
The stressed syllable of the main word in the semantic segment is called core. All stressed and unstressed syllables that precede the nucleus are called pre-nuclear part, and all following the kernel are called the tail. Tail syllables are, by definition, unstressed.
Wow!
(core)
Great!
(core)
How very strange.
(prenuclear part and nucleus)
He's just mad!
(prenuclear part and nucleus)
She's go rgeous.
It's ri di culous.
(prenuclear part, nucleus, tail)
Help me!
(core and tail)
Stop him!
(core and tail)
It was so silly if you must know.
(prenuclear part, nucleus, tail)
Melody of speech
Now that we have dealt with rhythm and phrasal stress, we have learned what the core of a semantic phrase is, we can proceed to parsing, perhaps, the most difficult element English intonation, we will talk about the melody of speech. The melody of speech is the alternation of raising and lowering the tone of the voice. Beginning of an increase or decrease voices just fall on the core of the semantic phrase. Such a change in tone of voice conveys a certain meaning, as was said at the very beginning of the topic. Incorrect creation of speech melody in English can lead to serious misunderstandings. There are two basic tones in English:
- descending (default used in complete statements, exclamations, orders, and special questions)
- ascending (default used in incomplete statements and simple questions)
In addition, there are various combinations of the two basic tones:
- descending-ascending
- ascending-descending
- high descending
- low rising
From the second list, select falling-rising tone as more independent.
Descending tone
A falling tone is characterized by a high or medium tone at the beginning (high) and a low tone at the end (fall). If the phrase consists only of a core or ends with a core, then the height and fall fall on it. If after the nucleus there is a tail, then the height falls on the nucleus, and the fall on the tail. The falling tone is conventionally indicated on the letter \
- \wow!
- It was great!
- It was so \ silly if you must know.
The falling tone is used in:
1. Sentences that convey a complete, confident, assertive, or authoritative tone.
Liza is from \ New-York.
She arrived \ yesterday.
She is going to be our \ advisor.
2. Exclamations. Exclamations may take the form interjections, statements, general or special questions.
\wow!
How very strange!
Wasn't it \ crazy!
3. Motives expressing a straightforward demand or order.
Keep silent!
Stop panicking!
Sit down and listen to me!
4. Greetings expressed in a formal, businesslike tone.
\ Hello!
Good \ afternoon!
\ Hi!
5. Appeals to a person, in order to show that we recognized him.
\ John, I'm glad to see you here!
Mr. \ Nickson, it's so good you've come!
6. Expressing sincere, genuine gratitude.
\ Thank you very much.
\ Thank you.
7. Special questions uttered in a formal, businesslike tone.
How\old are you?
When did you\arrive?
Why didn't you \ talk to her?
8. In general questions (yes-no questions) with an urgent, slightly threatening tone.
Did \ you take my passport?
Are you taking me for \ granted?
9. In response to general questions.
Were you from? I"m from \ London.
How old are you? I "m \ twenty-three.
10. Objections expressed in a friendly tone.
You didn't call her. No, I did.
She won't go there. Yes, she will.
11. In divisive questions, insisting, requiring consent in a tone.
You didn't work \ hard, \ did you?
We "ll talk about it \ later, \ won't we?
12. In disjunctive questions that are part of an exclamation or command.
The weather is \ wonderful, \ isn't it?
You "ll go and bring me what I \ ask, \ won" t you?
13. In shortened questions, like "really?", in order to emphasize skepticism and sarcasm.
I love you so much! \ Do you?
She said that she was very busy yesterday. \Was she?
14. In shortened questions expressing an exclamation.
She is a very clever woman. Yes, \ isn't she!
We really\thrashed them this time. \ Didn't we just!
15. Saying goodbye in order to get rid of the interlocutor by the type "all the conversation is over", "we have nothing more to talk about."
rising tone
A rising tone is characterized by a low tone at the beginning and a high tone at the end (rise). If the phrase consists only of a core or ends with a core, then the low tone and rise fall on the core. If the tail comes after the nucleus, then the low tone falls on the nucleus, and the rise on the tail, and the peak of the rise falls on the last syllable in the tail. The rising tone is conditionally indicated on the letter /
- /Me?
- Are you / fine?
- Do you know / all of them?
Rising tone is used in:
1. Type statements feedback conveying an encouraging, encouraging tone that encourages further communication.
Have a cup of\tea. That's very / kind of you.
You better take your \umbrella. Oh, don "t / worry. I"ll be / fine.
2. Motives in the form of requests or orders, expressed in a friendly, encouraging tone.
Don't / worry!
Come to / daddy!
3. Greetings, expressed in an encouraging, encouraging tone, conducive to further communication
/ Hello!
Hi, how / are you?
4. Appeals, in order to attract attention.
Professor / Stone, may I have you / attention please?
/ Darling, I "d like to \ talk to you now.
5. Expressing gratitude in a routine tone.
Could you pass me the / salt, please? / Thank you.
\ This way, please. / Thank you.
6. Clarifying questions like "excuse me?" or "echo".
Excuse \ me, where is the \ station, please? /Sorry?
Hello, may I speak to the / manager? / Pardon?
You "ll have to do that \ again. / Again?
7. Declarative questions, that is, questions that have the form of a statement, but are pronounced as a question.
You "ll arrive / late?
She is going to cook / pasta?
8. General questions by default.
Are you / busy?
Will you go to the / party?
Can I take your / laptop?
9. Objections expressed in a defensive, hostile tone.
You haven't bought the \ milk! Yes, I / have.
Stop answering \back! But I / don't.
10. Special questions expressed in a friendly, interested, sympathetic, encouraging way.
Where are you / from?
How long are you going to stay in London?
11. Separating questions, if they are a continuation of the main phrase and are not separated into a separate intonation phrase.
She is pretty, / isn't she?
Is it snowing, is it?
12. Dividing questions that are a continuation of the main phrase expressing motivation in a friendly form or in the form of a request and are not separated into a separate intonation phrase.
Will you open the window, / won't you?
Will you come to daddy, / won't you?
13. Shortened questions like "really?" "really?" expressing both boredom, routine and surprise.
She is a lawyer. /Is she?
I "m going \ abroad. / Are you?
14. Dependent sentence, if it comes after the main statement. The main utterance in this case has a descending tone.
I "d \ reject it, if I were / you.
She "ll \ kill you, when she" s / back.
15. Introductory circumstances, if they come after the main statement. The main utterance in this case has a descending tone.
I was \ busy yesterday, / actually.
They are \ not going to help you, / frankly speaking.
16. Farewell, expressing good wishes.
/ good bye!
/bye-bye!
Descending-rising tone
The descending-ascending tone is characterized by a fairly high start (height) then the tone drops (fall) then the tone rises again (rise). If the phrase consists only of a nucleus or ends with a nucleus, then the sequence of height, fall and rise falls on the nucleus. If there is a tail after the nucleus. Then the height falls on the core, the rise falls either on the core, or between the core and the tail, and the rise falls on the tail, and the peak of the rise falls on the last syllable in the tail. Descending-rising tone is conventionally indicated on the letter \/
- \/ Mine?
- He \/ says so.
- Well she \/ works very hard.
Descending-ascending is used in:
1. Statements bearing in themselves uncertainty, reservation.
Well I know her \/ face, but I don't remember her \ name.
She is a good \/ sales-manager, though she doesn't get along with the \ colleagues.
2. Expression of partial agreement or partial disagreement.
You are from London, / aren't you? Well, \/ Martha is, but I'm from \ Manchester.
The party was great! Well the \/ food was great, but the evening was \ boring.
3. Answers to general questions expressing an uncertain objection
Are you going to contradict? Yes, I am (but not now)
4. Motives in the form of a warning.
\/ Watch out!
Be \/ careful!
5. Motives expressed in a negative form.
Don't open the \/ door!
Don't tell me I was \/ wrong!
6. Appeals, in order to attract attention.
Professor \/ Stone, may I have a word with / you?
\/ Jane, let me show you \ something.
7. Statements, with the aim of politely correcting the interlocutor, pointing out to him his mistake. If such an instruction is given with a falling tone, it sounds rude.
She is coming on \ Monday. No, on \/ Tuesday.
It "ll take you only a few \ minutes. No, about \/ half an hour.
8. Restrictions of any element.
She didn't do it because she was tired. She didn't do you for some other reason.
9. Dependent offers.
If I were \/ you, I "d \ reject it.
When she "s \/ back, she" ll \ kill you.
10. Expression of introductory circumstances, if they come before the main statement. The main statement in this case sounds with a descending tone.
\/ Actually, I was \ busy yesterday.
11. Negative statements.
She wasn't very \/ pleased.
I don't think that's \/ true.
It's not just \/ me.
12. Saying goodbye in the form of see you
Well, in this overview lesson, we examined the most important points regarding the features English intonation. You probably already understood that this topic is quite extensive and in order to acquire the necessary skills, careful work with textbooks on phonetics is necessary. However, on early stages, the material presented above will be more than enough. Most importantly, when analyzing a new grammatical topic, do not forget to analyze each structure from the point of view of intonation and apply the rules of intonation in practice. The same work must be done when working with a new text, and especially with audio material, where you can clearly hear how English speech sounds. Over time, you will find that not only is it easier for you to understand English by ear, but you also get better at "sounding" English.
INTONATION
The alternation of high and low tones, i.e. the successive rise and fall of the voice is called intonation . Intonation is a complex unity of voice pitch (melody), the power of pronouncing words (phrasal stress), timbre, tempo and rhythm.
In English, intonation plays a very important role, as it gives the sentence a semantic completeness, as well as a different emotional coloring.
Knowledge of the intonational features of the English language and the ability to shape your speech in accordance with them are no less important thancorrect pronunciation (articulation) sounds.
Intonation highlights the logical center of the statement and creates an emotional background for the process of communication (communication).
The means of conveying the attitude to the subject of the utterance and the emotional state of the speaker have their own specific features in each of the languages. Ignorance of these features or inability to reproduce them in speech creates communicative and psychological barriers when communicating with a foreign owner.
To master intonation skills is possible only practicing: listening and imitating correct English speech. However, elementary theoretical knowledge is also required. They help when working on intonation without auditory support and facilitate self-control.
Let us pay attention to the fact that both in Russian and in English, depending on the type of utterance, two main melodies are used. The completeness of thought and the categoricalness of the statement is expressed in a descending tone(Falling Tone) ↘ , while the incompleteness of thought, doubt, indecision is expressed in an ascending tone(Rising Tone) ↗ .
Depending on the semantic coloring of the utterance, one or another tone is used.
For example, in a sentence“It's hot ↘ today, ↘ isn't it?” we are talking about the fact that both interlocutors know that it is hot today. This is a statement, and the speaker wants only to confirm his statement. This is just an exchange of opinions, so a falling tone is used at the end of a sentence.
And in the sentence “You are a ↘ doctor, ↗ aren’t you?” the speaker is not sure whether the doctor is the interlocutor or not, and asks to inform him about it. Therefore, the sentence is pronounced with an intonation of uncertainty, i.e. with rising tone.
The main thing in English is the tone at the end of a sentence. If at the end of a semantic group (before a pause) in the middle of a sentence, the tone depends on the individual assessment of the content by the speaker, then at the end of the sentence it obeys certain rules that have developed in the process of language development.
Raising or lowering the voice at the end of a sentence is used in speech to express type sentence, including its functional role, i.e. to express an order, request, question, statement, etc.
For example: Let's ↘ go.
This statement, uttered with a downward tone, expresses a categorical sentence. The degree of increase or decrease in tone depends on the emotional coloring of the statement.
It is typical for the English language that categorical statements, orders, questions beginning with interrogative words, affirmative exclamations are pronounced with a descending tone. Non-categorical statements expressing doubt, regret, uncertainty, etc., requests, general questions, exclamations of an interrogative nature are pronounced with an incoming tone.
Melodic types of English sentences
In terms of intonation, there are several types of sentences in English.
1. Narrative sentences
Declarative sentences, which are complete statements, are pronounced withfalling intonation.In sentences of this type, information is simply reported (in general).
For example: This is a ↘ box. The box is ↘ big.
For example: Of ↘ course.
↘Sure.
↘ Certainly.
I don't ↘ agree with you.
3. Orders and categorical sentences
For example: ↘ Don't do it.
↘Listen.
Give me your ↘ book.
Say it a ↘gain.
Let's ↘ go.
4. Requests and polite offers
Requests and polite sentences expressed in narrative form are usually pronounced withraising your voice.
For example: Come ↗ in.
↗ Take it.
Sit ↗ down.
5. Polite requests in the form of a question
Polite requests, expressed in the form of a question, are pronounced withrising intonation.
For example: May I come ↗ in ?
Shall I ↗ read?
Can I open the ↗ window?
Can I speak to ↗ Ann?
6. Greetings at a meeting
Greetings at a meeting are pronounced withlower voice.
For example: Good ↘ morning.
Good ↘ afternoon.
Good ↘ evening.
7. Familiar-friendly greetings
Familiar-friendly greetings, as well as statements expressing joy, surprise, can be pronounced withrising tone.
For example: He ↗ llo!
Good ↗ morning!
8. Greetings at a meeting in the form of a question
Such greetings are pronounced withlower voice.
For example: How do you ↘ do?
How ↘ are you?
9. Formulas of farewell
Farewell formulas can be pronounced withraising your voice.
For example: Good ↗ night!
Good ↗ bye!
See you to ↗ morrow!
See you ↗ soon!
10. Affirmative exclamations
Affirmative exclamations are pronounced withlower voice.
For example: What a ↘ pity!
What a lovely ↘ day!
It's really nice!
11. General questions requiring a Yes / No answer (Yes / No)
These types of questions arerising intonation.
For example: Is it a ↗ desk?
Do you live in ↗ Moscow?
Do you like ↗ tea?
Have you got a ↗ sister?
12. Questions that begin with question words
Such questions are called (Special questions). They are pronounced withlower voice.
For example: What's your ↘ name?
Where do you ↘ live?
Who is your ↘ friend?
Where are you ↘ from?
INTONATION EXERCISES
1. Say the following messages with falling intonation
It's a ↘ desk. It's a'big ↘ desk.
It's a ↘ sea. It's a'deep ↘ sea.
It's a ↘ tent. It's a 'little ↘ tent.
It's a ↘ text. It's an'easy ↘ text.
It's a ↘ cat. It's a'black ↘ cat.
(‘ prime denotes phrasal stress)
2. Say the following imperative sentences with a descending tone
‘Read the ↘ text. ‘Give me a ↘ pen.
‘Come ↘ here. ‘Write the ↘ test.
‘Wash your ↘ hands. ‘Do your ↘ home work.
‘Open the ↘ window. ‘Close the ↘ door.
‘Ask ↘ Peter. ‘Write the dic ↘ tation.
3. Say the following general questions (requiring a Yes/No answer) in a rising intonation
‘How much is ↗ it? ‘Is it ↗ heavy?
‘Is it a ↗ chair? ‘Is it ↗ nice?
‘Is it a ↗ lamp? ‘Is it ↗ black?
‘Is it a ↗ hat? ‘Is it ↗ clean?
‘Is it a ↗ ship? ‘Is it ↗ tasty?
‘Is it a ↗ kitchen? ‘Is she ↗ kind?
‘Is it an ↗ apple? ‘Is he ↗ good?
‘Is she ↗ teacher?
‘Is he a ↗ doctor?
4. Say the following special questions with a falling tone
‘Where is your ↘ bag?
‘Why do you ↘ cry?
‘Whose bags are ↘ these?
‘Where are the ↘ flowers?
‘Who is that ↘ girl?
‘Who is your ↘ classmate?
‘What ↘ time is it?
‘When do you get ↘ up?
‘What is your phone ↘ number?
ACCENT
English stress is of 3 types:
a) verbal b) phrasal c) logical
Verbal stress is the emphasis of a syllable in a word. In English, most two-syllable words are stressed on the first syllable. In transcription, stress is represented by the sign[ ‘ ] before a stressed syllable, for example:[‘ meni] - a lot.
A word pronounced in isolation always has an accent. Stress can have a semantic meaning, for example, in Russian: castle - castle ; in English mankind - mankind; [‘mænkaind]- men, the male part of the population.
One of the features of the English language, unusual for native Russian speakers, is the presence of a large number of words with two accents, for example: revolution [ , reve ’ lu: ʃ n], operation [ , ɔ pe ’ rei ʃ n]. The correct pronunciation of such words is important for the correct rhythmic organization of speech.
phrasal stress is the stronger pronunciation of some words in a sentence compared to others. In an English sentence under stress, as a rule, there are significant words that have lexical meaning: nouns, adjectives, semantic verbs, numerals, adverbs, interrogative and demonstrative pronouns. Functional words are usually unstressed: articles, conjunctions, prepositions and auxiliary verbs, as well as (unlike the Russian language) personal and possessive pronouns.
For example: Help me! [ ‘ help mi:] - Help me!
The proposal should distinguish logical stress, with the help of which one or another word is highlighted, acquiring great semantic weight. Boolean the stress can fall on any word of the sentence.
For example: Help me - Help me (not anyone else).
In English, as well as in Russian, logical stress may not coincide with phrasal stress.
RHYTHM
Rhythm - This is the alternation of stressed and unstressed syllables in speech. Russian speech is not characterized by a uniform rhythm, and the rhythmic organization of speech is manifested only in poetry. Mastering the skills of rhythmic shaping of an utterance is therefore a serious problem in learning English pronunciation, which is characterized by tendencies towards an accurate, uniform rhythm.
The rhythm of English speech is characterized by the fact that stressed syllables in a sentence are pronounced at more or less equal intervals of time. Therefore, the speed of pronouncing unstressed syllables depends on how many unstressed syllables are between two stressed ones: the more unstressed syllables, the faster they will be pronounced.
Rhythm in a sentence can be compared to waves. If the time segments are represented by arcs and connect the loudness peaks with them, then we will see that the intervals between the loudness peaks are almost equal.Stressed syllables in a sentence are pronounced with greater force of voice, i.e. syllables highlighted in this way sound louder. For example: An ‘ English ‘ lesson is ‘ easy.
Rhymes and Twisters
if many knew what many men know,
If many went where many men go.
if many men did what many men do,
The world would be better. I think so. Don't you?
Betty bought a blue blanket for her baby boy.
Joe gave a low groan as he fell over the stone.
A black cat sat on a mat and ate a fat rat.
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
A sailor went to sea to sea what he could see
But all he could see was sea, sea, sea.
Try as I might, I couldn't hide my delight at the sight.
I'd drive five miles.
I'd drive five miles on Friday night.
I'd drive five miles on Friday night tj see a fight.
She sells sea shells on the sea shore;
The shells she sells are sea-shells I'm sure;
And if she sells sea-shells on the sea shore,
Then I'm sure she sells sea shore shells.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper.
A peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a pecked a pickled pepper,
Where's the peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked?
A noise annoys an oyster, but a noisy noise annoys an oyster more.
Paul called from the hall that he'd slipped on the floor and couldn't get to the door.
It's sad the weather's bad.
Have a look at the book I found near a brook and gave to our cook.
Pear pudding hot, pear pudding cold
Pear pudding in the pot nine days old.
Some like it hot, some like it cold
Some like it in the pot nine days old.
Humpty-Dumpty sat on the wall,
Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall;
All the King's horses and all the King's men
Couldn't put Humpty-Dumpty together again.
Rain, rain, go away.
Come again another day.
Little Johnny wants to play.
If all the world were apple-pie and all the sea were ink,
If all the trees were bread and cheese, what should we have to drink?
It's enough to make an oldman scratch his head and think.
If you, Sandy, have two candies, give one candy to Andy, Sandy.
If you, Andy, have two candies, give one candy to Sandy, Andy.
Robert Rowley rolled a round roll round.
A round roll Robert Rowley rolled round.
Where is the round roll Robert Rowley rolled round?
That's the man that sat on my black hat in the tram.
He's a bad man. That's a fact.
Early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
The Bells of London
“Oranges and lemons”, say the bells of St. Clement's.
"Halfpence and farthings", say the bells of St. Martin's.
“You owe me ten shillings”, say the bells of St. Hellen’s
“When will you pay me?” say the bells of Old Bailey.
“I'm sure I don't know”, say the Great Bell at Bow.
In English, as well as in Russian, only to an even greater extent, the pronunciation of a vowel sound in a stressed syllable differs strongly and distinctly, and in an unstressed syllable - weakly, with the loss of characteristic features of the sound (qualitative reduction), sometimes with its reduction longitude (quantitative reduction). The final stage of sound reduction is its complete loss from the spoken word (zero reduction).
The process of qualitative reduction of vowels in an unstressed syllable led to the emergence of a neutral sound [ q ], which replaced all other vowel sounds, except for the phoneme [ I].
As a result of reduction, most English function words have two forms of pronunciation: full (under stress) and reduced (both forms are presented in transcriptions of English-Russian dictionaries).
The full forms are used in the stressed position, and the reduced forms are used in the unstressed position. This applies primarily to all service words - articles, auxiliary and modal verbs, conjunctions and prepositions, as well as often to personal and possessive pronouns, and adverbs. In an unstressed position (and this happens almost always), they are pronounced in a weak form, individual sounds become shorter and less distinct. Speech in which all words are pronounced accurately and clearly will sound completely unnatural.
For example (in transcription, the first form is full, the second is reduced):
Articles: a [ eI , q ], an [ x , q ], the [ DJ , DI , Dq ];
Prepositions: of [ Ov , qv ], for [ fL , fq ], too [ tH , tu , tq ] and others;
Conjunctions: and [ xnd , qnd ], but [ bAt , bqt ], that [ Dxt , Dqt ] etc.
Quantitative reduction is characteristic of long vowel sounds. For example pronoun me pronounced under the stress [ mJ ], and in an unstressed position in fluent speech [ mI].
Zero reduction is also reflected in writing: instead of a dropped letter expressing any sound in full, an apostrophe is put: I "m late. [ aIm leIt] - I'm late.
So everythingunstressed words: articles, prepositions, conjunctions, particles, etc. - pronounced together (together) with the stressed word with which they are connected in meaning, and the vowels in them are reduced.
For example, the continuous pronunciation of a semantic verb followed by a personal pronoun:
I "see him [aI" sJhIm]. - I see him .
You "help her [ju"helphW]. - You help her.
The noun and the preposition related to it (prepositional group) are pronounced together, without a break in breathing: to facts [tq "fxkts] - facts, for tents [fq "tents] - for tents, of tests [qv "tests] - about tests . But if the preposition is at the end of a sentence or before an unstressed personal pronoun at the end of a sentence, it retains the full, albeit unstressed, form: Look at them ["luk xt Dqm] - Look at them.
The definite article is pronounced like [ Dq ] or [ DI ] - before words beginning with a vowel: the step [ Dq "step] - step, to the end [ tq DI "end] - for this purpose ; the indefinite article a(an) is pronounced as a neutral sound [ q (qn)]: a plan [ q "plxn] - plan, an oak [ qn "ouk] - oak.
If the first of two adjacent words has an ending letter r , and the next one begins with a vowel, then when reading they are connected by the sound [ r ], which helps to pronounce two vowels together: fo r a plan [fqrq "plxn] - for plan, fora mile [fqrq "mail] - a mile.
Unionand [ qnd] - and, a, is pronounced very briefly, without stress and together, in one breath, with the words that he connects: a readeranda writer [q "rJdqrqndq "raItq] - reader and writer.
4. Intonation of the sentence.
Intonation is a complex unity of voice pitch (melody), the power of pronouncing words (stress), pronunciation speed and timbre, which serves as a means of expressing the speaker’s thoughts and attitude to the content of the statement.
Each language has its own intonation, the mastery of which is a necessary condition for learning communication skills.
The most important components of intonation are: melody, stress and rhythm.
4.1. Melodica.
A melody is a successive change in the pitch of the various syllables in a sentence. The most important is the change in pitch final syllables in a sentence, expressed in a fall or rise in tone. This is what indicates the purpose or purpose of the phrase: message, question, command, request, exclamation.
The descending and ascending tones of English and Russian languages basically coincide in their meaning:falling toneexpresses the relative completeness of the statement, categorical, andrising tone- indicates the incompleteness of the statement, the lack of categoricalness.
Decreasing and raising the tone is typical only for the most significant stressed words.
1 Descending tone. The first stressed syllable of the semantic group is pronounced in an even and highest tone, forming the beginning of the melodic scale with a gradual drop in voice tone until the last stressed syllable. In ordinary, emotionally uncolored English speech, a gradually descending scale is used.
All initial unstressed syllables are pronounced with a gradual rise in tone to the pitch of the first stressed syllable, which is usually pronounced in an even and maximally high tone.
In the future, each syllable of the descending scale is pronounced either at the same level as the previous one, or slightly lower. The last stressed syllable in a sentence is pronounced in the lowest tone. If it is followed by unstressed syllables, then they are pronounced at the lowest possible level of the voice, which is almost never used in Russian speech.
Simple, categorical statements, orders, questions that cannot be answeredYesorNo, exclamations are pronounced with a descending tone.
2 rising tone. Rising or rising tone - also a descending series, but endingpromotionvoices on the last stressed syllable.
The rising tone is used in statements that require the continuation and completion of thoughts, in requests, at the end of general questions that can be answered in the affirmative or negative (you can answerYesorNo).
Let's take two sentences as an example: I" like the" new↓ film [aI "laIk Dq" njH "fIlm] I love this new movie.- the sentence expresses certainty and categoricalness (descending tone). And second:" Do you" like the" new film? ["du jH" laIk Dq "njH" fIlm] Do you like this new movie?- the sentence expresses a question, uncertainty (rising tone).
Alternative questions (questions of choice) are pronounced with a rise in tone in the first part (before the unionor [ L] or) and falling into the second.
4.2. Phrase stress.
Phrasal stress is the articulation of some words in a semantic group (syntagma) among others.
A semantic group is a word or a group of words in a sentence, which is further indivisible without losing the semantic connection between the words. One semantic group is separated from another by a change in the melody and, usually, by a pause of various duration. A sentence may consist of one or more semantic groups (syntagmas).
Phrasal stress is usually given to the most important content, the so-calledsignificant words- nouns, adjectives, numerals, semantic verbs, adverbs, interrogative and demonstrative pronouns.
The emphasis usually does not fall onofficial words- auxiliary verbs, linking verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, particles, pronouns (except demonstrative and interrogative), articles. All unstressed words are pronounced together with the stressed word with which they are connected in meaning. Vowels or syllables that fall into an unstressed position in a sentence are pronounced as neutral vowels or drop out completely.
The phrasal stress of each language has its own specific features, so personal and possessive pronouns in Russian usually receive phrasal stress, while in English they are usually pronounced without stress.
Along with phraseological stress in English speech, there is also logical stress, which is an intonational emphasis on usually one word that expresses the most basic, most important thing in the message. For listeners, this is usually some new information that they previously did not know. Any words, both significant and auxiliary, can be under logical stress.
4.3. The rhythm of the proposal.
A group of syllables consisting of one stressed syllable and unstressed syllables surrounding it is called a rhythmic or accent group. This group should be pronounced as smoothly as possible, as one polysyllabic word.
In English speech, unstressed syllables between stressed syllables generally tend to be adjacent to the preceding stressed syllable. However, they adjoin the subsequent stressed word when they stand at the beginning of a semantic group or in those cases when it is necessary to emphasize the semantic connection of an unstressed word with the subsequent stressed one.
The rhythm of English speech is characterized by a tendency to alternate stressed syllables of the semantic group with unstressed ones and pronounce these stressed syllables at more or less equal intervals of time.
The speed of pronouncing unstressed syllables depends on how many unstressed syllables are between two stressed ones: the more there are, the higher the speed of their pronunciation. Therefore, unstressed words in English speech are hardly perceived by a foreigner.
Each semantic group has its own rhythm, depending on the degree of semantic load, in comparison with other semantic groups of the utterance.
Compliance with a similar, purely English rhythm of speech is achieved by continuous, without a pause, pronunciation of unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable within the same rhythmic group. Inhale in colloquial speech is done only between rhythmic groups, and inside all the syllables are pronounced "in one breath".
read togetherthe following word combinations:
1 article, pronoun, preposition+ noun (possibly with a definition to it):
a∪ book, the∪ desk, this∪ book, my∪ old∪ bag, by∪ the∪ car, near∪ the∪ town, on∪ the∪ large∪ table
2 particle to with infinitive: to∪ be, to∪ make, to∪ take
3 auxiliary and modal verbs: they∪ will∪ be∪ having, Anna∪ was∪ going
4 conjunctions and prepositions with surrounding parts of speech: black∪ and∪ white, about∪ a∪ week,
before∪ he∪ goes, when∪ I∪ came∪ home, if∪ you∪ are∪ ready
5 introductory there+ form of the verb to be: there∪ is, there∪ are, there∪ were
6 predicate+ circumstance or addition: listen∪ to∪ the∪ radio, go∪ to∪ school, write∪ a∪ letter,
7 pronoun, noun+ verb: you∪ Go, Nick∪ would∪ have∪ written
8 compound adverbs: at∪ last, so∪ much, best∪ of∪ all
9 final "mute" r (re) + word beginning with a vowel: far∪ away, more∪ important
The implementation of this rule should not lead to the transition of consonants from one syllable to another, distorting the whole meaning of the phrase.
Many people might be surprised to learn that Russian speakers seem monotonous and unemotional to English speakers. In fact, everything is simple: the English sentence has a fixed word order, and therefore intonation is almost the only way to convey the shades of the meaning of the sentence and place logical accents.
And this means that you can perfectly know English vocabulary and grammar, but only the ability to use the intonation system of English will raise your level of language proficiency to fluent.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE ENGLISH INTONATION SYSTEM?
Reason #1: According to research, the meaning of a spoken phrase is 80% read through non-verbal means of communication - gestures and facial expressions, 15% - through intonation, and only 5% - through words.
Reason #2: If you do not master the norms of "speaking" in English, then you risk being misunderstood or misunderstood by your interlocutor. It is worth pronouncing the same phrase with different intonation, and you will get completely opposite shades of meaning. But in order to become a full-fledged business partner or a worthy employee abroad, you need to be on the same emotional wavelength with the interlocutor.
Reason #3: The inability to use the intonation characteristic of English in two counts (more precisely, in two sentences) betrays a foreigner in you! It turns out that English words and sentences are pronounced with Russian intonation. For those who are native English speakers, such speech sounds at least strange.
!Interesting, which is also the opposite. Watch some announcers and TV presenters. Those of them who are fluent in English and regularly communicate in it with native speakers can also use English logical stress in Russian speech with its intonational “ups and downs”, completely alien to the Russian language.
ABOUT LOGIC AND MEANING
Speaking in Russian, we, of course, do not think about what intonation to use at one time or another. For us, it is as simple as breathing or walking. Now imagine that you need to get on the "new rails". First, let's remember two simple things about English intonation:
- Logical stress (that is, an emphasis on any word in a sentence) is in both Russian and English. Only in Russian does it serve to highlight the semantic center (that is, the most important) in a sentence, and in English it is more for expressing emotions.
- It so happened that in English the most important or new information is contained at the end of the sentence, and therefore the meaning of the statement depends precisely on how you pronounce this final phrase. Here's more about that.
UP - DOWN: "WE FLY" IN THE ENGLISH SPACE!
In the intonation system of the English language, there are two main tones:
- descending
- ascending
DOWNLOAD Tone (Falling Tone) is a gradual decrease in the tone of the voice on stressed syllables, and on the last word the voice can “fall” quite sharply down.
Remember: The descending tone is the tone of a categorical statement, completeness, certainty. It is used most often in exclamatory, short declarative sentences, as well as in greetings and orders.
For example: Come to? me (falling intonation makes this simple phrase almost an order)
ASCENDING tone (Rising Tone) - the opposite of descending: the first stressed syllable is pronounced at a fairly low level, and by the last word the tone rises noticeably.
Remember: Rising tone is a tone of uncertainty, incompleteness, uncertainty, doubt. Requests, polite appeals, general questions that require monosyllabic yes / no answers are uttered with an ascending tone. And also this tone of informal communication.
For example: Do you like? chocolate?
!Interesting: The greeting in English is pronounced with a falling tone (Good ? morning). The rising tone in this case will sound familiar. But the “farewell formulas”, on the contrary, are most often pronounced with an ascending tone: “Good? bye". Such intonation subtleties!
Learn one, two, three!
To quickly "understand" the intricacies of English pronunciation, use three tips:
TIP #1: Watch movies, series, TV shows in English. By the way, far from the best helpers in teaching the intonation subtleties of English will be:
- songs in english, since the intonation in them is far from colloquial and is subject to the rhythm and tempo of the melody;
- news stories in english, since the speed of pronouncing the text in them sometimes exceeds the norms of colloquial speech by several times (you simply cannot catch subtle intonation nuances).
TIP #2: Audition regularly. Listening records in English are created for educational purposes, and therefore they are pronounced clearly, distinctly and rather slowly.
TIP #3: Work through this issue with the teacher, and both individual and group lessons will be useful (in some cases, group lessons will be even more effective: it can sometimes be difficult to hear your own intonation mistake, but strangers are heard instantly). It is better to study with a teacher for whom English is native: he will be able to teach you all the subtleties of English pronunciation.
Soft intonation "flight"!
Intonation of general questions. General questions tend to be spoken with a gradually descending scale and a low rising tone. The start level of a general question is somewhat higher than that of a categorical statement.
`Do you` live in / Moscow?
`Can he` play the / piano?
The use of tones in imperative sentences. The intonation structure of an imperative sentence depends on whether the phrase is an order, a polite request, or an invitation. Orders are usually delivered with a gradually descending stepped scale and a high (or low) falling finish. Requests, like invitations, are pronounced with a low rising end.
`Don't be / late, please!
Intonation of alternative questions. The intonational design of alternative questions is characterized by the alternation of ascending and descending tones. The first syntagma, which is a general question, is pronounced with a low rising end, the second syntagma is pronounced with a low falling tone:
`Is she / eighteen or \ nineteen?|
Answers on questions. Answers to general questions sound categorically, confidently. They are usually pronounced with a descending ending, high or low. A high drop in response sounds friendly. A low fall is more restrained.
Answers to alternative questions are usually pronounced with a low descending ending.
`Does the `rain `start at / five or at \ six?| – It `starts at \ six.||
Scale with broken gradualness. A gradually descending step scale may be pronounced in such a way that the downward movement of the tone of voice may be broken on some stressed syllable. This syllable is usually pronounced higher than the preceding syllables. Such a scale is called a gradually descending school with broken gradualism. (theupbrokendescendingscale), stressed syllable, sounding more high level than the preceding syllables, is pronounced with the so-called special lift (anupliftedstressoraspecialrise). Violation of the downward movement of the voice tone can occur on any stressed syllable of the scale, with the exception of the first stressed syllable. In the text, a scale with broken gradualness is indicated by the sign () before a syllable that is pronounced higher than the preceding syllables:
She `went to the `post office every \ day.
A scale with disturbed gradualness is used in those cases when it is necessary to highlight some word of the syntagma. It is used mainly in monologue speech, in non-emotional dialogical speech, when reading descriptive texts.
The communicative center of the utterance (thecommunicativecentre), as a rule, coincides with a word (or words) pronounced with one of the terminal tones - falling, descending-ascending completion, etc. This is usually the last stressed word in the syntagma. The word (or words), which is the communicative center, expresses the most important information of the phrase, conveys the new information that is reported in the phrase, for example:
Mr. `Smith` walks to the `office every \ day.
The phrase tells when Mr. Smith goes to work.
In the phrase: Mr. `Smith \ walks to the | office | every | day-
the most important piece of information is that Mr. Smith walks to work.
Intonation of special questions. Special questions in English are usually pronounced with a gradually descending scale and a falling ending. More calm, restrained questions are pronounced with a low fall - low fall, for example:
`What's the\time?
A special question sounds lively, friendly, interested when it ends with a high fall, for example:
`Who's \ that?
Answers to specific questions. Confident answers to special questions require the use of a low or high descending ending; in uncertain answers, a low rising tone is usually used.
1). `That's `Steve's \ mother.|
2). They are the \ Smiths.|
Intonation of dividing questions. The intonation design of the dividing question is a phrase that consists of two syntagmas. The first is usually pronounced with a descending scale and a falling ending. The second, which is short general question, usually pronounced with a low rising ending; in this case, the speaker wants to show that he is interested in the subject of the conversation and wants to receive some new information contained in the answer. The second part of the tag question can be pronounced with a falling ending; in this case, the speaker is confident in the expected answer, has no doubt that the answer will be positive, he only waits for confirmation. Such a divisive question can be seen as a kind of statement. For example:
It's a `nice \ day, \ isn't it?
You are a \ first year \ student, / aren't you?
Answers to disjunctive questions, as well as for general questions, are pronounced with a high or low fall.
The falling-rising terminal tone - fall-rise - is typical for the English language, there is no such termination in Russian. The descending-ascending terminal tone refers to complex tones, the tone of the voice first drops to the very low level and then rises to the top. The descending-ascending movement of tone can be carried out within one syllable or spread over several syllables.
The descending-ascending terminal tone simultaneously highlights the word, which is the communicative center of the utterance, and indicates the incompleteness, incompleteness of the syntagma or phrase. It denotes various kinds of subtext: polite correction, apology, regret, contrast.
Graphically, the descending-ascending terminal tone is indicated by “Ú” located before the stressed syllable: Ú Tom!
Pronunciation of turnoverthereis/are. In sentences with a turn there is / are, the emphasis, as a rule, falls on the name of the object, the presence of which is in question in some place. The introductory there is unstressed, so it is usually pronounced reduced, with a neutral vowel [ey], in slow speech it can be pronounced [eyy]. In the unabbreviated form of the singular and plural binder [r] is pronounced:
there is [eyrshz]
there are [eyru].
intonation of exclamatory sentences. Exclamatory sentences are usually pronounced with a high or low descending ending. The range of a phrase can be extended or auxiliary compared to an emotionally neutral statement, which is indicated by the sign (²) before the stressed syllable. The exclamatory what and how can be stressed, however, if it is necessary to emphasize the noun or adjective following it, they are pronounced without stress, for example:
²How ²very pe\culiar!
The last stressed word, pronounced with a fall, is a definable noun, adjective or adverb, for example:
²What a ²wonderful \ time we had! ²how as\tonishing it is!
