Theory sheet 7:

Intonation Contour 3

Intonation Contour 3a

- (Low Pre-Head+) Stepping Head+ High Fall (+Tail)

- (Low Pre-Head+) Falling Head+ High Fall (+Tail)

- (Low or Rising Pre-Head+) High Fall(s)+ High Fall (+Tail)

(Low or Rising Pre-Head+) Low or Rising Head+

High Fall (+Tail)

1.

Statements

It is very common in ordinary colloquial speech;

conveys personal concern and involvement;

it can sound lively, interested, airy and can express vigorous agreement or contradiction very efficiently.

E.g. It’s very expensive.

I can hardly believe it.

I’ve never been there in mylife.

With the Stepping Head it sounds light and warm. However, in some contexts it may have some edifying, scolding and instructive effect.

E.g. We must stay anddo somework.

I haven’t hadtime toread

the text.

Conveys a feeling of querulous or disgruntled protest.

E.g. You didn’task meto.

We’ve been waiting forages.

I sent amessage to youthreedays ago.

2.

General Questions

Short comments of the Type “Is it?”, “Isn’t it?”

It shows the speaker’s willingness to discuss the situation;

sometimes it can sound sceptical.

E.g. Must wetell theparents about it?

Did you notice howthin she’s become?

This contour shows a mild surprise but acceptance of the listener’s premises (ideas, arguments). It is more or less equivalent to a surprised repetition of the listener’s statement.

E.g. A: She’s thirty-five.

B: Is she?

It indicates that the speaker is willing to discuss the situation, though sometimes impatient or protesting that such discussion should be necessary.

E.g. Need wedoanything about it?

Will it be open today?

3.

Special Questions

It makes a special question sound interested, brisk, business-like.

E.g. Howlong do you intend being away?

Then why are you soangrywith me?

With a low or rising head the question sounds as if the speaker were somewhat unpleasantly surprised or displeased.

E.g. Why didn’t yousay so before?

But when did yousee her?

Why should Idothat?

4.

Imperatives

It gives a ring of warmth, suggesting a course of action to the listener.

E.g. Comein.

Buy yourself a sports car.

IC 3a is essentially the same as IC 3, but often adds a note of critical surprise.

E.g. A: I don’tknow thisword

B: Look itup in thedictionary.

5.

Exclamations

It renders the exclamation (or interjection) more emotional but less weighty than when said with IC 1.

E.g. Howawkward!

Well done!

What a shame!

It can sound with a note of unpleasant, critical or affronted surprise.

E.g. A: Did you call him a liar?

B: Good heavens,no!