The intonation of enumeration

Enumeration in simple sentences is represented by a number of homogeneous parts. Each of them is pronounced as a separate intonation group.

The terminal tone of the final intonation group depends on the communicative type of the sentence. The terminal tone of the non-final intonation groups may be different. The Low Rise or the Mid Level are used to show there is more to be said.

Frequently each following intonation group is pronounced a bit lower than the preceding one: e.g. I 'bought some ‚socks, | ‚shirts | and ‘ties.

e.g. 'All he 'does is ‚sleep, | ‚eat | and ‘play.

e.g. There are 'six ‘rooms in my flat: | 'two ‚bedrooms, | a ‚living-room, | a ‚dining-room, | a ‚kitchen | and a ‘study.

If the enumeration is not completed the final intonation group is pronounced with the Low Rise or with the Mid Level: e.g. You can have po‚tatoes, | ‚carrots, |‚cabbages.

In case the speaker wishes the enumeration to be regarded as separate items of interest the Low Fall is used. Such sentences are pronounced in a slow deliberate way and with longer pauses: e.g. I had to do ‘cooking, | ‘cleaning, | and ‘shopping.

Intonation of direct address

Initial direct address

Direct address is placed at the beginning of an utterance when the speaker wants to call his listener’s attention to the subject-matter or to the fact that the remark concerns the listener personally. It usually forms a separate intonation group which may be pronounced with any of the nuclear tones. The choice of the tone does not depend on the communicative type of the utterance but is determined by the speaker’s attitude to the situation. The Falling tone on a Direct address shows the speaker’s serious attitude to what he is going to say:

e.g. ‘John, | I 'want you to 'tell me e'xactly what ‘happened.

‘Peter, | 'are you 'ready with your re‚port?

This pattern is commonly used in addressing an audience at the beginning of a formal speech:

e.g. 'Ladies and ‘Gentlemen, | we must dis'cuss an im'portant ‘problem today.

The Falling-Rising tone is normally used on an initial Direct Address in informal conversation to convey a warm and friendly attitude:

ˇKitty, | 'why aren’t you ‘eating anything?

ˇPeter, | 'will you 'help me with my ‚iron?

This tone may sometimes suggest a warning or a wish to single out the person named from a number of others:

ˇMary, | 'come and 'help me with the ‘supper. 'Let ˙Mike 'do his 'work a‘lone.

Direct Address at the beginning of an informal speech can also be pronounced with a Low Rising tone:

My ‚friends, | I am ‘happy to meet you here to‚night.

Final and medial direct address

Direct Address placed at the end of an utterance does not serve to attract the listener’s attention. It is added simply as an expression of politeness, affection or criticism. It is therefore either unstressed or only partially stressed and forms the tail of the tune: e.g. — 'Can you 'type these ‚letters for me, ˙Mike?

— Of ‘course, father.

e.g. — You are 'late a‘gain, Tom.

— I’m ˇsorry, ˙sir.

Final Direct Address may be pronounced as part of the Falling-Rising Divided nucleus. When this intonation pattern is used, the utterance sounds warmer and the address becomes more prominent: e.g. You 'look ˙very ‘tired, ‚Jane.

Direct Address placed in the middle of an utterance is pronounced in the same way as in final position: e.g. I 'don’t ˙mean to ‘say, Jack, | that it’s ‘your fault