Here you will find a couple of conversations in which we can mark the intonation features we have studied in class. Remember that for Phonetics & Phonology I, the two intonation sub-systems we explore are prominence and tone. Unlike other notation systems, prominent syllables will take the same mark as stresses.
A) As you may know, the tones used in English may have different names and markings. Occasionally, in this blog, tones may not be indicated with arrows but with the letters showing whether they are proclaiming or referring. Below you can see the conversion to these letters.
falling = p
rising-falling = p+
falling-rising = r
rising = r+
neutral = o
B) Read the following conversation and try to make sense of the prominence marking proposed. Remember that this is one possibility. Other alternatives may be equally right.
falling = p
rising-falling = p+
falling-rising = r
rising = r+
neutral = o
B) Read the following conversation and try to make sense of the prominence marking proposed. Remember that this is one possibility. Other alternatives may be equally right.
Amy: My ˈsister’s soon gonna be nineˈteen.
Mike: ˈSorry, ˈdid you say ˈeighteen?
Amy: ˈNo. ˈNineteen. ˈNext ˈmonth. ˈEarly next month.
Mike: ˈOh. And ˈhave you thought of a ˈpresent?
Amy: ˈWell….I ˈguess she would be deˈlighted with a ˈblackboard.
Mike: A ˈblackbird?
Amy: ˈNo, a blackˈboard. She’s ˈstudying to become a ˈteacher and she likes ˈpractising standing ˈup, as ˈthough she were in a ˈclassroom.
Mike: So ˈthat would be an iˈdeal gift. ˈWhat about a ˈbookshelf? Is she ˈtidy? ˈThat ˈway she can ˈalways have ˈall her books ˈin the shelf.
Amy: ˈNo. She’s ˈabsolutely ˈuntidy.
