In Lesson 3 we will talk about the intonation of the English language, which we need for the external design of the sentence. Any English-speaking gentleman can easily determine that you are not a native speaker, as you shift the pattern of intonation, phrasal stress, timbre, tempo and rhythm from your native language to the one you are learning.

Intonation

Intonation(Intonation) is tied to the grammatical structure of the sentence and its lexical composition and gives the statement a certain meaning. Therefore, it is pointless to talk about the importance of intonation, and its incorrect use in speech can lead to communicative and psychological barriers when communicating with a native speaker.

Intonation is a unity, which includes the following components: the pitch of the voice tone (melody), the power of pronouncing words (phrasal stress), as well as timbre, tempo and rhythm. Melody and stress are more studied components of intonation, while timbre, rhythm and tempo are more subjective and often depend on each individual speaker, namely on his individual manner of speech.

Melodika (Tone) - change the pitch frequency. Melody is necessary both for dividing the flow of speech, and for linking its individual parts. In English, there are two main speech melodies, two tones - falling (Falling tone) and rising (Rising Tone).

• Descending tone (⇘) indicates the completeness of the statement and is used to persistently achieve an answer to a previously posed question, to express an alternative and to frame a rhetorical question. The falling tone is used in imperative, declarative sentences and standard greetings. For example:

1. Have something to⇘ eat. Have a ⇘ hamburger. (Eat something. Eat a hamburger)

2. Come to a ⇘ party tonight (Come to the party tonight).

3. ⇘ Hello (Hello).

• rising tone (⇗) indicates the incompleteness of the statement, the lack of categoricalness. Often, a rising tone gives an emotional coloring to the statement and is used to attract attention. For example:

1. Why wasn't it ⇗ finished? (Why wasn't it finished?)

2. I told her about your plan. - About my ⇗ what? (I told her about your plans. - About mine, what?)

3. I couldn't use the phone, ⇗ could I? (I can't use the phone, can I?)

4. What lovely apples! - ⇗ Want some? (What beautiful apples! - Do you want it?)

Also used when listing: a ⇗ map, a ⇗ pen and a ⇗ plan (map, pen and plan).

stress (Stress) - phonetic emphasis on one of the syllables in a word or phrase. In English, verbal, logical and phrasal stress are distinguished.

• word stress ensures the phonetic integrity of the word and plays a role in distinguishing words. Depending on the place of stress, a noun and a verb are distinguished. For verbs, the stress falls on the second or third syllable; for nouns, the stress falls on the first syllable.

For example:

ob ject - an aim or a purpose (goal);

ob ject- to disagree with something (to object);

• Phrase stress provides a stronger pronunciation of some words in a sentence compared to other (non-stressed) words. In English, significant words (nouns, semantic verbs, adjectives, adverbs, numerals, interrogative and demonstrative pronouns) usually fall under stress, respectively, with their help, the main meaning of the sentence is conveyed. Without stress, English speakers pronounce function words (articles, prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, auxiliary verbs). It is the phrasal stress that forms the rhythm of speech.

For example:

Peter is an engi nee r (Peter engineer).

She must' go now (She must leave now).

• logical stress ensures the selection of any word in meaning, which the speaker seems to be more important. In this case, words that are usually unstressed can fall under stress. Significant words, on the contrary, can lose their stress. In English, phrasal stress may not coincide with logical stress.

For example:

We are planning to fly to Paris (We are planning to fly to Paris).

We are' pla nning to fly to Paris.

′ We are planning to fly to Paris.

Rhythm (rhythm) in English, is relatively regularly manifested in the alternation of stressed (strong) syllables with unstressed (weak). Stressed syllables in the utterance sound clear, they are longer and higher (louder, longer and higher). Unstressed syllables are pronounced indistinctly and briefly. And to achieve the correct rhythm, syllables that fall under stress must be pronounced more slowly, more clearly and louder, unlike weak forms. The correct rhythm is also achieved through correctly spaced pauses. Pause(pausing) is a phonetic means and is involved in the intonation of speech. In order to correctly place pauses, you need to know the grammar rules well. Usually pauses appear:

• before punctuation marks (. , : ; ? ! "");
• before unions (and, or, but, which, that);
• before and after multisyntagmic phrases (syntagma is a collection of several words united by semantic, grammatical and phonetic compatibility.

note (On a note): It is important to remember that inside the syntagma words are pronounced together(linking), so there are phrases that are very difficult to distinguish by ear, for example:

an ice-cream - a nice cream;

watch is - watches.

It is necessary to speak with equal pace, pausing correctly at the end of a sentence. Timbre speaker depends on the speech apparatus (hoarse timbre or low or high shrill voice), partially regulated by the speaker (mainly due to the different emotional state in which the person is at the time of speech).

In Lessons 4 and 5, we'll take a closer look at intonation components such as Accent and Melody with examples. Of course, in the early stages of learning a language, it is very difficult to establish the correct intonation, but as they say, practice is important here. Listen to English speakers as often as possible, as well as audio and video lessons! Here you can watch video tutorials on working on intonation:

I wish you success in learning English!

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 especially important in British, more classical English, which is known for its tendency to preserve 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 that they are facing an educated person who respects their traditions and pronunciation rules.

Pronunciation in English is an important element of proper language learning. Without proper sound production and correct intonation, your speech will not be understood by an English-speaking person, even if you ideally know grammar rules and have a wide vocabulary.

That is why it is important to study sounds, intonation, and other aspects of pronunciation in English. But what is intonation in English? In this article, we will figure out what types of intonation are, and what functions it performs.

What is intonation?

In English, our Russian word "intonation" is translated as intonation. And the intonation itself is the rise or fall of the voice in any specific parts of the sentence. It is intonation that helps to put some emotional coloring or some other meaning into the sentence.

What is intonation for?

As already mentioned, intonation is needed mainly in order to indicate the semantic content of the text or the mood of the speaker. From the setting of intonation, you can find out, for example, how a person treats you or what is happening, whether he speaks with a positive or negative emotional coloring. Intonation helps to understand how angry, upset, excited, or friendly a person is.

Intonation changes the meaning of a sentence

In addition, intonation is needed for the placement of commas in a sentence. Often the whole meaning of the whole sentence depends on the correct intonation! For example, let's take the following expression (without punctuation marks):

• You can't love to hate.

You certainly understand what is at stake. Depending on where and how the commas will be placed, what intonation will be transmitted in this sentence, the whole meaning of the sentence depends.

• You can't love, you can't hate.
• Love, you can't hate.

Intonation can, for example, also highlight any word in the text, focus on any expression or phrase. That is why intonation (as well as punctuation marks) greatly affects not only the emotional coloring, but also the meaning of the sentence.

Components of intonation

Intonation is the relationship of many components. Let's try to sort them out before proceeding directly to the rules of intonation in English.

1. Melody characterizes an increase or, conversely, a decrease in intonation, our speech as a whole. For example, we can cite the difference between a usually sentence and a sentence in which there is a question. Compare the following three sentences, trying to read them with the right intonation. You did it. You did it! You did it? This is precisely the difference in intonation in different sentences.
2. The pace is the speed of speech, as well as pauses between parts of the sentence, where punctuation marks should be. After all, you must admit how much the intonation of a person speaking in a hurry and a teacher slowly explaining the topic of the lesson differ.
3. The timbre just gives the sentence and intonation some kind of emotional coloring. Thus, the intonation becomes either cheerful, or sad, or excited, or even angry.
4. But logical stress acts as an accent, that is, it focuses the listener's attention on any particular phrase, word or introductory construction in a sentence.

What is intonation in English?

But in English, the most important and main component of intonation is tone. For example, these are sentences or with a question, or with a statement, or even with a request. It is divided into ascending (Rise) and descending (Fall). So the intonation here is only of these two types, and it is used in different cases. Which ones will be discussed below.

Falling intonation (Fall)

One of the types of intonation in English is descending. In English it is called Fall. If you depict this type of intonation graphically, you get a gradual line or ladder going down. Accordingly, the voice also declines. But in what cases is descending intonation used in English?

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• Narration, communication of any information.

In such sentences, intonation falls. Let's take an example to make it clearer. The Earth goes round the Sun. - The earth revolves around the sun. In this sentence, it is towards the end of the sentence that the voice falls a little down. Try reading this sentence aloud with a falling intonation.

• An affirmative sentence, some kind of affirmative answer.

It means a statement that confirms something. For example: That's right. It translates as "correct". Here the intonation is descending, goes with a decrease in voice towards the end of the sentence.

• Sentences that express an order or any indication, as well as encourage something to be done.

In this case, as in the previous examples, the intonation is also descending. Let's do it. - Let's do it. This is another example of falling intonation in English.

• Special questions.

Questions like "What is your name?" are read with descending intonation, even though these are questions.

Rising intonation (Rise)

Another type of intonation - ascending - in English is called Rise. The peculiarity of this species is that the sentence is incomplete. In what cases is it present? We will analyze each of them in detail with specific examples.

• In general matters.

There is always a rising intonation. Do you like tea? - Do you like tea? Even in Russian, in such matters, we raise our voice towards the end of a sentence. The same thing happens in English.

• Words of farewell and greetings.

Such words are always read with rising intonation in English. Bye bye! - Bye bye! Goodbye! - Goodbye! Hi! - Hello! good morning! - Good morning!

• Any request from the speaker.

Requests, questions like “can I” are used with rising intonation. May I come in? - Can I come in? Can I open the window? — May I open the window? The intonation in questions of the English language containing a request is always ascending.

• Answers to the request, offers with courtesy.

Read with rising intonation. To the question in the previous example, “May I come in? - Can I come in?" you can answer: Come in! - Come in, come in. In this case, the short answer has a rising intonation.

Intonation consisting of both lowering and raising the voice (Fall-Rise)

This kind of intonation in English is called Fall-Rise Intonation. There is nothing similar in Russian, but it becomes clear with time, in practice.

But how to read with descending-ascending intonation? Imagine plunging into water, deepening and gradually raising the sound. First, the sound sinks under the water, and then suddenly emerges. When immersed, the sound decreases, and when emerging outward, it rises again. About the same thing happens with Fall-Rise Intonation in English.

At first, you may not understand. Try to listen to the speech of English-speaking people and catch this intonation in their speech.

Here are some suggestions as an example. Let's start with an easier option, where in one sentence (syllable) the voice first decreases, and in the next it rises again.

• That's right. I will. - That's right. I will (e.g. be at a party, etc.)

In this case, right is pronounced with a descending intonation, and on the segment I will the voice becomes higher.

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A similar intonation can also be found in sentences, when there is some distance between the lowering and raising the voice. In such sentences, one feels uncertainty or some doubt on the part of the speaker.

• I'm not sure if they win ... - I'm not sure if they won ...
• I think they are other ways ... - I think there are other ways ...

The first part of the sentence (I'm not sure) is read with a descending intonation, and the second (if they win) with an ascending intonation.

In questions of English, intonation is different. But in dividing lines there is always a descending-ascending intonation. Try to read the following sentences with correct intonation:

• She is a doctor, isn't she? She is a doctor, isn't she?
• He is a hard worker, isn't he? He's a workaholic, isn't he?
• Sue didn't come, did she? Sue didn't come, did she?
• Mary have learned it, haven't she? Mary learned that, didn't she?

In the first part, before the comma, there is a gradual decrease in sound, but in the second part, containing a question, there is already an ascending intonation.

Over time, it will become clear how to create the correct intonation in English in a sentence containing falling and rising voices. Fall-Rise Intonation is also used in sentences expressing a note of doubt, softness, uncertainty in the answer. Usually this is a soft answer to a question. Take a look at an example:

• I think you like this book! — Not really. I think you like this book! - Not really.

In this sentence, it is the answer Not really that is read with a descending-ascending intonation.

The same intonation is often used in sentences in which there is some opposition. In these cases, a descending intonation is heard in the first part, and an ascending one in the second.

I want to learn Chinese, but not now. — I want to learn Chinese, but not now.

I'd like to go with you, but I have so much work today! “I would love to go with you, but I have too much work to do today!”

Raising and gradually lowering the voice (The Rise-Fall)

Another type of intonation in English that occurs here is ascending-descending intonation, when the sound first rises and then sharply decreases. In English, it was called The Rise-Fall.

Such intonation is rarely used, but in sentences with it, excitement, excitement, excitement are felt.

logical stress

As in Russian, English can sometimes create an emphasis on a certain word, which is the main, important meaning of any sentence. From stress and intonation in English, the meaning of the sentence changes. Take a look at the examples and you'll understand.

• Ben bought apples, not pineapples. Ben bought apples, not pineapples. Try to emphasize the word apples with the help of intonation. I bought exactly APPLES, not pineapples.

Also in this sentence, the particle not can be distinguished. The logical stress is placed where the speaker wants to put it.

Intonation scale

Having studied the tones, you can move on to intonation scales. They are systems that help to understand the phonetic features of the English language. There are several basic intonation scales.

1. Gradually Descending Stepping Scale + Low Fall. Such a complex name characterizes the scale often used in the narrative. Unstressed syllables are at the same pitch as stressed syllables. The intonation here drops towards the end of each sentence.
2. Broken Descending Stepping Scale + Low Fall. The approximate one is the same as the previous one, but here some syllables are specially distinguished, forming a certain rise.
3. Sliding Scale + Fall-Rise. Typical for colloquial speech, everyday communication. Descending tone. Tone begins on stressed syllables and continues on unstressed syllables.
4. Scandent Scale + Low Rise. Usually this scheme is used to somehow praise someone or, conversely, console. At the same time, the tone fluctuates, then rising on unstressed, then falling on drums.
5. Ascending Stepping Scale + High Fall. In this scheme, attention is especially focused on some words. stressed syllables receive special attention.
6. Ascending Stepping Scale + High Rise. The scheme with the emphasis on which the sentence is built, the scheme itself conveys the importance of information.
7. Low Level Scale + Low Fall. All sounds are as if below, thereby conveying their hostility to the interlocutor.
8. High Level Scale + High Fall. But here, on the contrary, all the sounds are high. When using this scheme, one feels high spirits, positive emotions.

You have just passed two passers-by who spoke in a foreign language. You didn’t understand a word, but you still immediately understood what language they were speaking. How can this be?

Each language has a unique melody and tonality. To understand what we mean, watch this video:

The heroine of the video speaks complete gibberish from invented words, but at the same time pronounces the sounds characteristic of each language with the correct speed, tone, intonation, rhythm and stress, thereby creating a completely convincing illusion, Finnish, Swedish or English.

English intonation includes the tone and tempo of speech, pauses arranged in a special way, and logical stresses. The melody of the language is, first of all, intonation, and this is something that you don’t even think about when speaking your native language. Intonation is a rise or fall in the tone of the voice, and in communicating in English it is no less important than the words and expressions that you pronounce.

That is why, when you learn to speak English, it is important to remember not only WHAT to say, but also to learn HOW to say it.

In today's article, we will show you seven situations in which English intonation plays a key role.

How tone can change everything

Words spoken with the correct intonation can take on new shades of meaning. Imagine that your voice is a musical instrument. As you speak, your voice gets louder or quieter, and you use it to emphasize certain words. The notes that sound in your speech reflect the pitch, and changes in pitch - this is intonation.

Let's check! Say out loud now:

“How do you do?”

At first glance, this is the usual relaxed way to ask how you are, grammatically incorrect (it would be correct to say “How are you doing?”), but understandable to everyone.

When you said this now, you most likely started on a rather low note, and then your voice rose to a higher note at the moment doin'. This means that you said this phrase with an upward intonation.

Now listen to our favorite Joey from :

He focuses on you, and the phrase immediately ceases to be innocent - he is clearly flirting, and due to the change in intonation, the greeting immediately becomes a hint of something more.

But this is not the end of the matter! Even the simplest Really? can be pronounced with very different intonations, giving it new meanings: ascending intonation will convey your surprise, descending - skepticism and distrust, and even intonation (and even pronounced with a "stone" face) - sarcasm.

Another illustrative example is a short episode from the series "The Good Wife"

How to master and practice English intonation

To improve intonation in English, you first need to understand how it works in general, and how accurately you can convey it. To get a "point of reference", start with a self-test - select a paragraph that has different types of sentences (from any or a book), and record yourself on the voice recorder on your phone. Listen to the recording and analyze what you need to work on. Are you speaking too monotonously? Or does the tone sound natural? Can you, like that girl in the video, pass as a native speaker without knowing a single word of it?

There are several effective ways to practice correct intonation and find "your voice" in English:

• Read along with the video. shadow reading- a special technique of reading aloud when you read along with a video or audio clip. To try it, find a video with subtitles on YouTube. Watch a short clip and then turn it back on and say the same thing at the same time as the video. Try to accurately convey the speed of speech, logical stress, pauses and pitch.
• Mark up texts . Make notes in the text, for example, draw arrows that will show at what moments and on which words the pitch should rise or fall.
• Don't be afraid to exaggerate . In order to accurately hit the desired intonation, in the early stages you can deliberately exaggerate it. Imagine that you are on stage, speak very expressively, even if the pitch of your voice changes very much - in fluent speech you still won’t succeed, but this way you can get used to the intonation patterns of English sentences and eventually learn to reproduce them without thinking .
• Experiment . Choose one sentence and say it with different intonation, put stress on different words. Try to pronounce it evil, joyfully, tiredly, surprised.
• Chat with native British and American English speakers . It can be friends, and. The second option is preferable if you are faced with the task of “setting” the correct intonation: a professional will immediately pay attention to those moments when your speech sounds unnatural to the English-speaking ear, and when an incorrectly chosen intonation distorts the meaning of what you are saying.

When working on intonation, it is important to have a standard that you can use to “calibrate” the tone of your voice. Watch free YouTube video courses from super popular English teachers who go into great detail about all types of intonation in English and when intonation deviates from the rules:

7 situations illustrating the rules of intonation in English

• affirmative sentences

Simple affirmative sentences (which are not qualifiers and do not emphasize any information) are usually pronounced with a falling intonation.

I've been playing the violin for seven years.

In this video, a participant in the show "America's Got Talent" with a downward intonation answers the standard questions of the judges:

• Interrogative sentences

For general questions that require a one-word answer "yes" or "no", rising intonation at the end of the sentence is typical:

Are you going to school tomorrow?

Other types of questions are usually pronounced with a falling intonation:

Why are you going to school tomorrow? It's Saturday!

In this video from the popular series “73 Vogue Questions” the first questions are heard with a descending intonation, but when the "voiceover" asks “Can I get a tour?”, the intonation becomes ascending because it is a general question:

• Enumeration

When enumerated, each new element is pronounced with rising intonation, except for the last one, on which the intonation always falls.

I love chocolate, strawberry and pistachio ice cream.

In this video, she lists what she likes about her favorite type of bread and reads the list of ingredients. Every time you hear a rising intonation, it means that there is another ingredient or another benefit to come:

• Expression of emotions

Joy, excitement, fear, irritation - these emotions can be conveyed with the help of ascending intonation. Depending on the situation, the sentence below can express any of these emotions:

I can't believe you quit your job!

Downward intonation, on the contrary, is associated with boredom, sarcasm and indifference. The example below will sound very sarcastic and even offensive, if you pronounce it with a decrease in intonation, it will immediately become clear that you are not at all happy:

I am so excited for you.

Pixar cartoon titled "Inside Out" is entirely devoted to emotions, and this excerpt from it is a great example of how our voice and manner of speaking convey our true feelings. Disgust asks a question “Hold on, what is that?” with an upward intonation, although this is not a question that can be answered with "yes" or "no", but this expresses her feeling of disgust. And when Anger joins the conversation, his tone of voice rises with every sentence, and this shows how angry he was:

• logical stress

Highlighting a certain word in a sentence allows you to put a logical emphasis on it and emphasize its importance. In the sentence below, emphasis can be placed on red or scarf, depending on whether you are interested in the color of the scarf or the very fact of buying a scarf, and not, for example, a hat:

I hope you got the red scarf.

In this video, in the very first remark, the heroine highlights words with the help of intonation name, safe And what to sound more convincing and more accurately explain your idea:

• Comparison

When comparing or contrasting two elements, ascending intonation and logical stress are used on the compared objects:

I thought he liked dogs but he actually liked cats.

In this video, the voice-over announcer puts special emphasis on the words book And movie as key elements of comparison:

• Separation questions

Second part tag questions in English it is pronounced with rising intonation when you need to clarify information, hear the consent or disagreement of the interlocutor, that is, you are waiting for an answer from him. Tag questions, pronounced with a downward intonation, do not imply an answer at all, but rather are needed to emphasize that the speaker is sure that he is right.

See how tag questions work and watch your intonation:

Intonation in English can make a harmless sentence sarcastic or playful, turn a question into a statement, and convey even the most subtle nuances of feeling. Try to tame it and you will sound like a native speaker.