3. Intonation of conversational formulas

Conversational formulas include Greetings, Farewells, Apologies and expressions of Gratitude as well as phrases typically used in response to them.

Conversational formulas play an important role in communication. They help to establish or to keep up the contact between the speaker and the listener and are regarded as an essential part of the social norms of speech communication.

According to their function in speech, conversational formulas can be defined as formulas of politeness. However, the degree of politeness may vary. It depends on the sphere of communication and the speaker's personal attitude to the situation and the listener. Thus, when a person thanks somebody for a favour done especially for him he uses a formula of gratitude which differs from the one he would normally use to thank, e. g., a waiter for bringing him his coffee or his change. Formulas of gratitude in these two situations would most probably differ both in wording (i.e. lexically) and in intonation:

1. 'Thank you 'very'much in'deed.

2. ,Thank you (/Thanks).

The difference in the degree, or intensity, of politeness can be signalled by intonation only:

1. — I've found your gloves. Here they are.

• Oh,' thank you.

  2. — Here is your change.

• Oh, ,thank you.

According to the degree of politeness expressed, it is possible to divide conversational formulas of all types into 3 broad groups: normal (neutral), friendly (very polite, warm, lively), casual (perfunctory). In each type of conversational formulas (Greetings, Expressions of Gratitude, etc.) these three groups would be distinguished in oral speech by intonation.

The common feature of all f r i e n d 1 у formulas is that they are pronounced with a Falling-Rising tone (Undivided or Divided), precededbya high level or a sliding head (ifthere is any):

'Thanks a /lot.

Good-^vbye. -

I'm^really^very' sorry. • ^w • ^

ЛИ casual formulas takea Low-Rising ta^e,preceded by alow pre nuclear part (prehead or head)»' .^L ''

llaMo. '■ ^;,vrtj' '«еЛэдЧ

iNotat/all. :u9?i«w((f*.-;f.wi» re't -

,That's all /right. ^ . ^ чТ ЧАН ,Sorry.

Such phrases are used between people on familiar terms who meet regularly, or in a situation where the expression of gratitude or apology is but a mere formality.

Normal Greetings, Expressions of Gratitude and Apologies are characterized by the Falling nuclear tone, generally combined with a high level or stepping head and a low or high prehead:

¹ Thanks a 'lot for your "help, , Myra. _p m>tl I'm'sorry I'm ₄late. -

' How do you "do, Miss , Brown? ^ „

\ pp- _rf it-fi)

Good ₄moming, , children.

Normal Farewells, unlike the above mentioned formulas, are pronounced with a Low-Rise preceded by a high prenuclear pitch:

"Good-,bye.

'So/long. ^

1. lie same pattern is typical of the commonly used informal greeting

"Hallo": r nasi vdt iitKiM

"Hal,lo, "Mary. ' Hal,lo, "Dick.

< onversational formulas called normal (neutral) are suitable in various kinds of situations. Depending on the wording and the speaker's voice-colouring they may sound either sincere and serious or formal and brisk.

2. should be noted that some of the formulas tend to be pronounced wiili one pattern more frequently than with any other. Thus, "Excuse me" used initially in a conversation most typically has a falling-Rising tone:

— Ex"'cuse me, can you 'show me the 'way to the 'nearest ho,tel?

"Pardon", when used interrogatively, is always said with a High Rise:

• Who's that boy?

• 'Pardon?

• I'm asking you about that boy.

EAR-TRAINING EXERCISES

I. Listen to 3 groups of conversational formulas. Identify the tunes they are pronounced with and imitate them. Note that the identical types of conversational formulas in groups I, 2, 3 differ in the speaker's attitude.