Module 4 the graphical structure of an intonation group

Theoretical Material

An intonation group is a word or a group of words characterized by a certain intonation pattern and is generally complete from the point of view of meaning.

The pitch and sentences stress components of an intonation group can be represented graphically either on the staves (dot-dash system) or in the line of text itself (tonetic stress marks system).

The staves are two horizontal (parallel) lines which represent the approximate upper and lower limits of the pitch range of the voice in speech.

Speech melody together with the sentence stress is indicated on the staves with the help of dashes, curves and dots placed on different levels.

A dash presents a stressed syllable pronounced with level pitch.

A downward curve represents a stressed syllable pronounced with a fall in pitch within that syllable.

An upward curve represents a stressed syllable pronounced with a rise in pitch within that syllable.

A dot represents an unstressed syllable.

In the line of text itself intonation is indicated by means of tonetic (vertical or slanting) stress-marks which are placed above or below the line immediately before the syllable they refer to.

Module 5 types of scales

Theoretical Material

According to the general movement of the voice, scales are classified into Descending, Ascending and Level.

The Descending scales are such scales in which the voice moves from the high pitch level to the low pitch level.

The Ascending scales are scales in which the voice moves from the low pitch level to the high pitch level.

The Level scales are such scales in which the voice moves on one and the same pitch level.

The Descending scales are further classified into:

The Descending Falling Scale is such type of the Descending scales in which the unstressed syllables go lower than the preceding stressed ones within the downward movement of the voice.

e .g. My 'schedule is 'rather con fusing.

The Descending Stepping Scale is such type of the Descending scales in which the unstressed syllables are on one and the same level as the preceding stressed ones within the downward movement of the voice.

e .g. My 'schedule is 'rather con fusing.

The Descending Stepping Broken Scale is such type of the Descending scales in which the unstressed syllables are on one and the same level as the preceding stressed ones and the general downward movement of the voice is interrupted by an Accidental Rise.

e .g. My 'yesterday 'schedule was rather con fusing.

T he Descending Sliding Scale is such type of the Descending scales in which the voice moves down by slides within the stressed syllables and unstressed or partially stressed syllables usually continue the fall.

e .g. My schedule is rather con fusing.

The Descendent Scandent Scale is such type of the Descending scales in which the unstressed syllables go higher than the preceding stressed ones within the downward movement of the voice.

e .g. My yesterday schedule was rather con fusing.

The Ascending Scales can be classified into:

T he Gradually Ascending Scale is such type of the Ascending scales in which stressed and unstressed syllables move gradually up from the low pitch level to the high pitch level.

e .g. My schedule is 'rather con fusing.

The Ascending Sliding Scale is such type of the Ascending scale in which the voice moves up by slides within the stressed syllables and unstressed or partially stressed syllables usually continue the rise.

e .g. My yesterday schedule was rather con fusing.

The Ascending Scandent Scale is such type of the Ascending scales in which the unstressed syllables are higher than the preceding stressed ones within the upward movement of the voice.

e .g. My yesterday schedule was rather con fusing.

The Level Scales are classified into:

The Low Level Scale is such type of the Level scales in which the stressed and unstressed syllables move on one and the same low pitch level.

e .g. My schedule is 'rather con fusing.

The Mid Level Scale is such type of the Level scales in which the stressed and unstressed syllables move on one and the same mid pitch level.

e .g. My schedule is 'rather con fusing.

The High Level Scale is such type of the Level scale in which the stressed and unstressed syllables move on one and the same high pitch level.

e .g. My schedule is 'rather con fusing.

Practical Tasks