INTONATION OF IMPERATIVES

Imperative sentences can express either a command or a request. So intonation depends on what communicative subtype is used.

The low-rising nuclear tone in imperative sentences expresses a polite request:

e.g. 'Pass me the "book, please. 'Don't be "long, please.

The low-falling nuclear tone or the intonation pattern "Descending Head + Low Fall" are used in unemotional or serious, firm, weighty commands:

e.g. 'Pass me the book.

"High Fall" and the intonation pattern "Descending Head + High Fall" express a friendly request or a friendly insistence:

e.g. 'Pass me the book. 'Pass 'Ann the book.

QUESTIONS AND TASKS

Questions:

1.What does the intonation of imperative sentences depend on?

2.What intonation patterns are used to express requests?

3.How are commands pronounced?

Tasks:

1. Intone the dialogues. Underline requests and explain their intonation.

What is the intonation of the word “please”?

-I’d like the check, please.

-The check? Here you are.

-Thanks.

-I’d like three tickets to the pictures, please.

-Three tickets? I’m sorry. We’re sold out. -Well, thanks anyway.

-I’d like a piece of strawberry cake, please.

-Strawberry cake? I’m sorry. We’re all out of strawberry cakes.

-O.K. Thanks anyway.

-I’d like a round trip ticket to California, please.

-A round trip ticket? Here you are.

-Thanks.

36

2. Make up your own dialogues according to the previous pattern.

4.Analyze the form of the following requests. Which of them are formal and which are informal? Complete them using proper intonation.

Give me…, please. Can you… Could you… Could I ask you…May I…May I trouble you for… Would you kindly… Would you mind … Will you be so kind as…I’d be much obliged if you…

4. Intone the following dialogues and read them.

-Could you do me a favour?

-Yes, certainly.

-Will you be so kind as to turn down the music?

-All right (O.K)

-May I have a word with you?

-Sure.

-Will you pass me the salt, please?

-Here you are.

-I hate to bother you but could you spare a moment?

-With pleasure.

INTONATION OF EXCLAMATIONS

Exclamations are sentences used to express the speaker's feelings and emotions, his special attitude towards the surroundings. They may begin with "What" and "How (which)" and they may be stressed or unstressed.

Exclamations are said either with the Low Fall or with the High Fall e.g. Congratu ̖lations?

'What a ̖pity! How late it is!

Pronounced with the High Fall exclamations sound very emotional, e.g. - Have you taken over your new house?

- Heavens, yes.| Ages ago.

If the exclamation is questioning it takes the Low-Rise, e.g. - "Oh?

- "Really?

INTONATION OF GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS

Greetings are often said with the High Fall, e.g. Good morning, Dick.

37

Greetings sound warm, pleasant and friendly when they take the High-Fall followed by the Low Rise:

e.g. Hul lo Dad! Good morning, my boy.

Farewells are most commonly pronounced with the Low Rise, e.g. Good "morning.

Very cordial farewells take the Fall Rise: e.g. Good night.

Tasks:

1. Intone the dialogues, underline greetings and explain their intonation.

1). - Good morning, madam. Can I help you?

-Yes, please. I’d like to join the fitness club.

-Certainly, madam. What’s your name?

-Helen Hamford.

-Can you spell it, please?

2). - Good morning, Paul. How are you?

-Very well, thanks. And you?

-I’m fine.

3). - Hello. How are things?

-Fine, thanks. How about you?

-All right.

4). - Hi. How are you?

-Not too bad. And you?

-Okay.

2.Intone the following dialogues paying attention to farewells. Read them.

1). -It’s time I was going. Thank you for a lovely evening.

-Not at all. It was nice to see you again.

-Good-bye.

-Bye-bye.

2). – Well, I must be off now.

-Stay and have a cup of tea with us.

-Thanks very much but I really must go.

-Bye and good luck then.

-Cheerio.

38