The low rise

Intonation pattern (LOW PRE-HEAD +) LOW RISE (+ TAIL)

When the speaker uses the low rise in exclamations he reserves judgment; encourages further conversation; expresses calm, casual acknowledgment.

E.g. If you like I can book four seats for next Saturday. – All ˏright.

(Intermediate English. A Date for the Theatre.)

The low rise is often used in greetings.

E.g. Good morning. – ˏMorning!

Exercise 1.

Read the following conversational situations, use the low rise. Reserve judgment and encourage further conversation by developing it.

1. 1 He just can’t be bothered. – Pity!

2. Is it really yours? – Of course.

3. John says he can’t come. – Oh! (Why not?)

4. Something has gone wrong with my electric iron. Can you put it right? – Of course!

5. Ann, please bring some more milk from the kitchen. – Right!

6. I’ve passed this exam. – Wonderful!

7. He is seriously ill. – Pity!

8. I can’t see it from behind you. – Pardon!

9. It’s half past ten. – Well!

10. Shall we meet at ten? – All right!

11. It’s half past ten. – Well. (We’re not in a hurry.)

Exercise 2.

Read the following conversational situations, use the low rise. Express calm, casual acknowledgment.

1. The car is here. – Good!

2. Shall I phone him? – Please!

3. Your change, sir. – Thank you!

4. I’ll bring it tomorrow. – Many thanks!

5. Here you are. – Thanks!

6. Your book, Mary. – Thank you!

Intonation pattern (LOW PRE-HEAD +) DESCENDING HEAD + LOW RISE (+ TAIL)

In this pattern the speaker sounds encouraging, airy, friendly.

E.g. At last I’ve got it right. – ˈWell ˏdone

Exercise 3.

Read the following conversational situations, use the low rise. Sound friendly.

1. I’ll be back later. – Good bye for the present.

2. More tea? – No, thanks.

3. My name’s Lumpkin. – I beg your pardon. (Would you mind saying that again?)

4. I’m just going. – Have a nice time.

5. I’ll take my exam tomorrow. – Good luck, my boy.

IV

The fall -rise

The fall -rise is a combination of the high fall and the low rise. The fall and the rise occur on separate syllables. The fall starts from a high level and ends very low. The syllables between the high fall and the low rise are said on a very low pitch. The falling part renders the main idea that the speaker wants to emphasize. In exclamations the fall- rise renders warm, sympathetic, encouraging, sometimes plaintive, puzzled or surprised attitude.

E.g. `Careˏful! (= it’s dangerous.)

Exercise 1.

Read the following conversational situations, use the fall-rise. Sound warm, sympathetic, encouraging.

1. But why didn’t you tell me? – ˈSo `sorˏry.

2. Sorry I haven’t returned it yet. – `That’s all ˏright. I’m in no particular hurry for it.

3. I’ve invited him to tea. – `Jolly ˏgood!

4. That’s the second time he’s failed. – `Poor old ˏPeter!

5. Here I am at last. – Hal`lo, ˏStephen! (It is good to see you.)

6. I thought you finished your work at five. – So I `do, ˏusually.

7. Oh, why are you late? – I’m `awfully ˏsorry. It wasn’t my fault.

8. I must go now. – Good `night, ˏJane.

9. Do you really want him to come? – I `wish he ˏwould!

10. How are you, Mrs. Nelson? – ˈVery ˈwell in`deed, ˏthank you.

11. Do you have milk in your tea, Tony? – `Yes, ˏplease.

12. Would you like a cup of tea? – `Yes, ˏplease.

13. Good morning, David. – Hal`lo, ˏthere.

14. Will you buy some bread for me? – `All ˏright.

15. I thought I asked you to go to the dean’s office. – `All ˏright. `Just a ˏminute.

16. He says he’s ill. – ˈThings `do ˏhappen.

Exercise 2.

Read the following conversational situations, use the fall-rise. Sound puzzled or surprised.

1. And we’ll have a new carpet. – `Just a ˏsecond! (Where’s the money coming from?)

2. I wonder where the children are. – ˈOh, `there they ˏare.

3. I tell you, I won’t do it. – ˈWhy are you `always so ˏobstinate!

4. I’m going to get up. – ˈNow, `don’t be ˏsilly! (You’ll catch another cold.)

5. She’s failed the second time today. – What a disap`pointment ˏfor her.

6. I can’t come this evening. – `What a disapˏpointment!

7. I haven’t seen Jenny for ages! – `What a ˏpity!

8. Janet seems to be avoiding me. – `Isn’t she a ˏfool!

9. You’ve made the same mistake again. – `Good ˏheavens! I ˈsimply `can’t ˏthink!

10. They won’t help us. – `Beastly, ˏisn’t it! `Oughtn’t they to be aˏshamed of it!

V