Intonation of adverbials

Intonation of adverbials

Adverbial phrases at the beginning of a simple sentence normally form a separate intonation group pronounced with the Low Rise.

e.g. In the 'middle of the room | there is a dining table. ||

In sentence final position adverbial phrases do not form an intonation group.

e.g. There is a 'thick carpet on the floor. ||

Note: A Low Rising nuclear tone indicates for the hearer that the utterance is not finished and there is a continuation without which the information is incomplete.

A Low Falling nuclear tone, due to its categoric and definite character adds greater semantic weight to a non-final group in comparison with the Low Rising pattern.

e.g. I 'live near the bus stop | and the metro station. ||

I 'live near the bus stop | which is very con venient. ||

A Falling-Rising nuclear tone has a complex semantic effect, since it conveys two kinds of meaning at one and the same time: 1) special semantic importance or emphasis – due to the falling component of the tone, 2) semantic incompleteness and close links with the continuation – due to the rising component of the tone. It is used when the non-final group is contrasted to either what follows in the same utterance or what precedes it in the earlier context.

e.g. In 'front of the house | we have a 'small garden. || At the `back of the house | there’s a 'much larger garden.

Intonation of Enumeration

Enumeration in simple sentences is represented by a number of homogeneous parts. Each of them is pronounced as a separate intonation group. Generally the Low Rise is used in the non-final intonation groups and the Low Fall in the final intonation group.

e.g. There is a bed, | a writing table | and a wardrobe in the living-room. ||

Note: In case the speaker wishes the enumeration to be regarded as separate items of interest the Low Fall is used.

e.g. The 'rooms are large, | light | and spacious. ||

Intonation of Parentheses

Parentheses show the speaker’s attitude towards the idea expressed in the sentence, connect the sentences with one another or summarize what is said in the sentence.

e.g. Persona lly, | I 'never 'play truant.

Initial parenthesis often forms a separate intonation-group which is normally pronounced with the Low Rise.

e.g. As 'far as I know, | you’ve 'passed the exam. ||

Note: To give more importance to the parenthesis it can be pronounced with the Low Fall.

e.g. As I say, | it is very interesting. ||

Initial parentheses that are linked closely with the main remark do not form a separate intonation-group and are usually unstressed, partially stressed or just stressed. Here belong: I suppose, I believe, I think, I presume, I’m afraid, well, probably, certainly, of course, surely, etc.

e.g. I be'lieve he is a genius. ||

Parenthesis in the middle of an utterance forms a separate intonation-group with the Low Rise, and is pronounced quicker than the main remark.

e.g. At'tendance at our uni versity, | as 'far as I know, | is ob ligatory. ||

Final parentheses do not, as a rule, form their own intonation group, and are pronounced as unstressed postnuclear syllables (tail).

e.g. She is 'not good at languages, you know. ||

Additional prominence is achieved when parentheses in final position are said as part of the nucleus of a divided Falling-Rising tone.

e.g. You’ll 'finish the `report, I hope. ||