Lesson 10 - Intonation as 'punctuation'

In writing, a full-stop tells the reader a sentence is finished. But a listener depends on the speaker's voice to tell him. At the end of a sentence, the tune falls.

Similarly, in writing, commas often equate to a rising tune in spoken English. e.g.,

	as soon as I know (↗), I'll give you a call (↘).

The comma : rise pattern is very clear with lists. Compare a written shopping list with a spoken one.

Could you get some milk, juice, peanuts, crackers and a paper?

	could you get some milk (↗) juice (↗) peanuts (↗) crackers (↗) and a paper (↘)

Analysing sentence intonation and stress

Paying special attention to the important words and the intonation, practise this brief opening to a speech on framing pictures. Find out where you will use a rising tone or a falling tone. Find out where the weak syllables are.

	today I'd like to discuss some aspects of framing a picture there are three things to consider the style of the frame the colours and the type of glass

Email: lcweb@ust.hk
Phone: (852) 2358-7851
Copyright ©2002 Center for Language Education, HKUST