7. The high bounce
STATEMENTS
Complete statements said with the High Bounce have the effect of questions in most cases, as in so many other European languages.
Examples
You ’like him? means 'Do you ,like him?
’Sugar? means 'Do you take ,sugar?
He's 'definitely ’going? means 'Is he definitely ,going?
Very often this tone group is used in echoed statements to elicit a repetition by the listener of something he has said; it is as if the speaker were saying: 'Did you say ...?' or 'Did you mean...?'.
Examples
It's your fault. ’My fault?
They were all delighted. ’All of them?
It isn't fair. 'Not ’fair, did you say?
The difference between this and the Take-Off is that there is no suggestion of the disapproval of the latter. Similarly the puzzlement, often found in echoed statements said with the Low Bounce, is also absent. The effect of the High Bounce is purely questioning.
The High Bounce is also used in non-final word groups to suggest continuation. It sounds somewhat casual, rather more tentative than the Take-Off or the Low Bounce in similar circumstances.
Examples
You can have ’milk, | or ’tea, | or ‛coffee. ||
I like the ’colour, | the ’shape, | and the ‛pattern. ||
You can 'stay ’here | or 'come with ‛us. ||
In cases such as these the use of the Low Bounce in the non-final groups would create an air of expectancy. With the High Bounce there is far less of this expectancy and the effect is much more of pure continuation.
WH-QUESTIONS
When the nuclear tone is on the interrogative word, the High Bounce calls for the repetition of information already given, as does the Take-Off, but the wondering, puzzled flavour of the Take-Off is absent.
Examples
’What was his name again? || (I've forgotten.)
′When did you °say he was coming?
He's 'coming for ’how long?
When the nuclear tone is not on the interrogative word, the speaker is often echoing the listener's question in order to get it clear in his mind before giving an answer; again there is no criticism implied as there is with the Low Bounce.
Examples
When's he arriving? 'When's he ar’riving? || (Is that what you asked?)
How many children has he? 'How ’many?
This might also apply to the case where the nuclear tone is on the interrogative word; then it would be this particular part of the question that the speaker wants to get clear.
Example When's he arriving? ’When? || (Or where?)
The High Bounce is also used in straightforward wh-questions, that is, not echoes or requests for repetition; and such questions sound rather like those with the Low Bounce, but very much more tentative and casual, as if to avoid the appearance of prying.
Examples 'Who were you ’talking to? || (Anyone I know?)
'When can we ’meet? || (Sometime on Thursday?)
YES-NO QUESTIONS
Yes-no questions with the High Bounce may be echoed questions (as with wh-questions above) or not. The following are echoes.
Examples
Is it raining? 'Is it ’raining, did you say?
Would you like one? Would ’I like one? || (I'd love one.)
Straightforward questions may, however, be asked with this tone group, when they sound lighter, more casual than with the Take-Off or the Low Bounce.
Examples
Put your mac on. 'Is it ’raining?
I don't know what to do. Can ’I help at all?
This tone group is particularly common with short comments of the type below, the effect being of a minimum response designed to keep the conversation going. There is no suggestion of the disapproval or scepticism of the Take-Off.
Examples
I've just seen John. ’Have you?
He said he was tired. ’Did he?
COMMANDS AND INTERJECTIONS
The High Bounce is used with these almost exclusively to question a part or all of an utterance of the listener and elucidate his exact meaning, with no particular critical intention.
Examples
Take it ′home. 'Take it ’home? || (Is that what you said?)
What a shame! 'What a ’shame? || (Why?)
The silly young fool! ’Young fool? || (He's old enough to know better.)
The interjections Oh and Really are often heard with this tone group, when they are equivalent to the minimum comments, mentioned under yes-no questions above.
Examples
I've just seen John. ’Oh?
He said he was tired. ’Really?