The Intonation Characteristics

Questions and Assignments for Seminar V:

1. The intonation and its main functions.

2. The intonation components.

4. The types of intonation and their classification.

Reading List.

1. Bondarko L.V., Verbitskaya L.A., Gordina M.V. Osnovi Obschey Phonetiky. L., 1992, Part VII.

2. O’Conor J.D., Arnold G.F. Intonation of Colloquial English., London, Longmans, 1961.

3. Zinder L.R. Obschaya phonetica. M., 1979, Ch. VII.

4. Svetozarova N.D. Intonatsionnaya Sistema Russkogo Yazika. L., 1982.

Intonation Assignments:

1. Classify the following utterances according to the kind of tune:

a) Nucleus (+tail);

b) Nucleus;

c) (Prehead)+ Head+Nucleus;

d) (Prehead)+Nucleus.

1. I couldn’t agree more. 2. Your English is very good. 3. Well, I have. 4. You must be gifted for languages.

2. Intone the short dialogues. Explain the choice of intonation:

a) - This box is heavy.

- Shall I give you a hand with it?

b) - When did you see him?

- When did I see him?

c) - He says it was your fault.

- How ridiculous!

d) - Is your birthday on the fourth?

- The fifth.

e) - There were seven boys there.

- Six.

3. Read according to the scheme realizing the Low Drop, the High Drop, the Low Bounce, the Switch Back.

□□□□□□□□□□ I wonder if she’ll ask me in advance.

□□□□□□□□□□ Now what have I done with my handkerchief?

□□□□□□□ Go to another hotel!

□□□□□□□□ I can’t forget the things he said!

□□□□□□□□□□□ The gramophone record has broken in two.

□□□□□□□□□□ I think it was an excellent affair.

□□□□□□□□□□ I think that he wants us to take him there.

□□□□□□□ Nearly as far as the bridge.

□□□□□□□□ They said they had to leave at once.

□□□□□□□□□□□ I see he’s forgotten to leave his address.

□□□□□□□□□□ We’ll fetch you in a car in half an hour.

□□□□□□□□□□ It’s cheaper to go to the cinema.

□□□□□□□ Where have you hidden the key?

□□□□□□□□ A glass of beer is what I need.

□□□□□□□□□□□ I never say no to a hot cup of tea.

□□□□□□□□□□ I’d like a cup of sugar in my tea.

□□□□□□□□□□ I told him to wait in the corridor.

□□□□□□□ Take it away to be cleaned.

□□□□□□□□ It’s time the children went to bed.

□□□□□□□□□□□ The tram stop is just a bit farther along.

4. Intone, explain the choice of intonation:

1. Is she twenty or twenty five?

2. At our Institute there is a good drama circle.

3. Borrow someone’s dictionary.

4. My holiday starts tomorrow. – Not tomorrow.

5. “Is this for me?” he asked with surprise.

6. Children, listen to me.

7. Whose exercise book is this?

8. As a mater of fact, I’m nearly forty.

9. What nasty weather we are having!

10. Does your friend speak English or Spanish?

11. On Monday he is at the hospital.

12. “No, I can’t,” she replied.

13. You’ll be thirty-five then. – Thirty four.

14. You are thirsty, aren’t you?

15. Ann, come to the board and divide it into two parts.

16. Can Tommy come to tea tomorrow?

17. Excellent! – Excellent?

18. On the settee there are two cushions.

19. As far as I know, you passed all your entrance exams with excellent marks.

20. I’m having tea at five o’clock. – At four o’clock you mean.

21. She said: “The acting was excellent”.

22. Relax.

23. When you enter the theatre, you go to the cloakroom.

24. You’d seen the film already, hadn’t you?

25. Leave it entirely to me, then.

26. Do they spend Sundays in town or in the country?

27. Ann, may I take your book?

28. Fortunately for me, it was a translated version.

29. Can you sell me another copy? – Sorry. They’ve all gone.

30. A few minutes later I heard a ring at the door.

31. Are you ready to leave?

32. If you are busy today, come tomorrow.

33. Mother, can I have an ice-cream?

34. In September we begin our studies.

35. That doesn’t matter, does it?

36. When am I to expect you?

37. I told him about your success? – About my what?

38. Next to the piano there is a tall bookcase.

39. You sister is younger than you, isn’t she?

40. Where is your sister?

41. It isn’t fair. – Not fair?

42. On the extreme right there’s a radio-set.

43. Every one’s gone home. – Not everyone.

44. Smile.

45. What shall I do with these figures?

46. By the way, may I open the window?

47. Can you turn up at nine on Tuesday?

48. Does your nephew live in Moscow or in St. Petersburg?

50. The chief theatres, music halls and cinemas are in the West End.

51. They said: “We saw the stage well”.

52. You’re on holiday, aren’t you?

53. If it rains, take an umbrella.

54. The silly young fool! – Silly young fool?

55. Can I have an apple, Ann?

56. What shall I do with those naughty boys?

57. Do you do your morning exercises?

58. At the club we usually meet our friends.

59. As for me, I never take mustard or pepper.

60. You’ve met her, haven’t you?

61. What’s the time, please?