In the text above*, intonation has been marked for you. This is what we normally do in class and what we ask you to do in tests. There is a little difference in the marking of falling-rising. Exceptionally in this blog, I'm going to mark it with two arrows (one falling and the other rising). But remember you are supposed to make only one broken arrow.
In order to practice for the final exam and to make sense of the marking, we can explain why we've chosen certain tonics and tones. Below you will see explanations for some of the choices. Can you explain the other choices? I'm looking forward to your comments.
- ...anything this evening? = The rising tone indicates a desire on the part of the speaker to make sure something he assumes may be the case. It may also indicate some kind of dominance, as Oliver is going to invite Holly to come along. Also, a tonic was not selected for "this" or "evening" because they represent the typical case in which a final adverbial of time and place doesn't take any prominent syllables.
- I'll call for you at 7.30 = The most important words of this tone unit contain prominent syllables. The last prominent syllable is the tonic. The falling tone indicates that the speaker is adding information assumed to be new to the hearer.
- I'm afraid not = A falling-rising is used. This may indicate that the speaker wants to 'cushion the blow', that is, to soften the impact of negation and converge into some common world with the hearer. Eventually, other tones may be used.
* This text was adapted from
McGowen, B. & Richardson, V. (2000). Clockwise. Pre-intermediate. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Martín!. Muy interesante el post, realmente me ayudó con algunas dudas que tenía sobre algunos textos del libro.
ReplyDeleteSaludos!
Constanza Bustamante
Great, COnstanza. That's the idea. To help each other out outside of the class. See you.
ReplyDeleteMartín! I am quite interesting in what you have mentioned about final adverbials indicating time and place; however, is it a "golden rule" which we should take bear in mind?
ReplyDeleteMartín, it sounds a little bit rude to me using a rising when Oliver asked: are you doing anything this evening?, and when he asked: would you like to come? Could it be possible to use there a falling rising to sound more frinedly? Or in this case is it better to use a rising?. By the way, thank you for these uploads, they are very useful and interesting.
ReplyDeleteDear Carolina,
ReplyDeleteRemember that some options, given the right context, are more appropriate than others. Leaving "this evening" non-prominent means that the adverbial is not the focus of information of the speaker's tone unit. Why is it not the focus? Well, probably because it is understood from the context. Now, let's suppose they have been talking about going out next weekend and Oliver immediately asks the same question. The pattern would probably be with the tonic on "evening" and "this" as a possibly promeinent syllable.
I hope this is clear enough. Otherwise, get back to me through this section.
Dear Sabrina,
ReplyDeleteImagine that Oliver and Holly have been friends for some time now. Do you think they would take offence if the other used a rising tone? I don't think so. Remember that among intimates, we don't need to be so diplomatic and polite. In my opinion, a rising would be perfectly right. However, if you feel more at ease, you can choose a falling-rising. Either way, the meaning would be one of making sure if used in questions.
Cheers
Martín, the information and excercises you have uploaded are very useful. Here we are practicing for tomorrow final exam!! we are very nervous but also excited. See you tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for everyone! :)
Dear all,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you find this info useful that I'll add another text as soon as possible so you can keep on practicing. Study hard and good luck!