2.5. Tone Group IV
TONE GROUP IV
(Low Pre-Head+) Stepping Head + High Fall (+Low Tail)
(Low Pre-Head+) High Fall(s) + High Fall (+Low Tail)
Tone Group IV is used with complete, definite but friendly light and airy statements connoting a personal concern; with brisk, businesslike special questions; sometimes with general questions to make a suggestion; with imperatives suggesting a course of action and with mildly surprised intellections.
Tone Group II is more appropriate for a narration, Tone Group IV for emotional conversation.
Drill I. Listen carefully to the conversational situations. Concentrate your attention on the intonation of the replies. Repeat these sentences after the speaker:
Drill II. Read the following sentences using the intonation patterns of Tone Group IV. Mark the intonation. Define the communicative type and the attitudinal meaning.
Simply spleendid. 1 should never have believed it. When did you expect him? Take as many as you like. Better late than never. What did you have to say about it? What an extraordinary thing to do! Well copy it again then. 1 was afraid it might be difficult. What's the trouble? And the best of luck to you!
Drill III.
A. Answer the following questions in detail. Make your answers sound definite but friendly. Show your interest in the subject of the conversation.
Model: Why didn't you tell him the truth?
-I didn't know myself.
What were you doing in the evening? Why didn't you meet her at the station? How many classes a week do you have? Why didn't you ask him about the telegram? What is this novel about?
While asking questions make them sound brisk and businesslike.
Model: Ask your friend what you can do to clarify die situation.
- What can I do to clarify the situation?
Ask your friend: when he can come; what was discussed at the meeting; why he was away from classes; how many mistakes he made in the dictation: when he is going to be back.
Suggest a course of action to your friend. Try to be friendly.
Model: What shall I do to make up with him? Tell him the truth.
What shall I do to improve my pronunciation? How can 1 air the room? What must 1 do to switch on the tape-recorder? How can I get this book? I'm afraid I'll catch a cold.
Drill IV. Read the following dialogue using Tone Group IV intonation patterns where necessary. Mind that this is a friendly conversation. Get it recorded and hand in the tape.
What's that building in the picture?
It's St. Paul's Cathedral.
I suppose it's very old.
Yes, Christopher Wren built it.
And when was that built?
Sixteen eighty.
How old it is! I'd like to visit it.
Fine! Catch a fifty one bus.
Well, I really wanted to walk.
Turn right at the corner.
Mm... and then?
Walk along for some time and then turn left.
Well, I'd rather take a bus.
2.6. Tone Group V
TONE GROUP V
(Low Pre-Head+)(Stepping Head+) Rise-Fall (+Low Tail)
Rise-Fall: the voice first rises from a fairly low to a high pitch and then quickly falls to a very low pitch
Tone Group V is used with all communicative types of sentences. This Tone Group implies all the definiteness and finality associated with the other falling tone groups. It particularly shows that the speaker is greatly impressed.
Tone Group V gives special questions a note of challenge and antagonism, which is usually equivalent to the word "but" placed before the question or the word "though" after it. The main contribution of Tone Group V with imperatives is a matter of shrugging off responsibility.
Drill I: Listen carefully to the conversational situations. Concentrate your attention on the intonation of the replies. Repeat these sentences after the speaker. Define the communicative type and the attitudinal meaning of the responses:
Drill II. Read the following sentences using the intonation patterns of Tone Group V. Mark the intonation.
Well. Did he. Goodness. He won the prize. Splendid. He's passed. Which is die best way to do it? They are twins. How did you manage it'? That's perfectly true. It was lovely.
Drill III. Listen to four situational dialogues "Meeting People after a
Long Time". Pick out sentences and sense groups with Tone Group V. Say what attitude is rendered.
Drill IV. Read the following dialogue between a man and a woman. The woman is impressed by the man's story. Use Tone Group V intonation patterns where they are suitable. Get it recorded and hand in the tape.
Did I tell you 1 went to Switzerland for my holiday? Well.
I flew there by jet
Did you?
It only took an hour and a half.
Quick, but dangerous.
Well, when you fly a lot, you get used to it.
Oh.
I remember once I was flying over the Alps when one of the engines stopped.
Good heavens. I'd have been terrified.
Some of the passengers were.
Not surprising.
But I soon calmed them down.
How brave.