16. The notion of a supraphrasal unity its prosodic features

The unit coming next to an utterance in the above-mentioned hierarchy is a supraphrasal unity (SPU).

There arc constant prosodic markers distinguishing initial, median and final phrases in the unity. These are the features of pitch , loudness and tempo An important feature marking the boundary of a supraphrasal unity is a pause which is considerably longer than any of the pauses separating the phrases within the unity. It is the so-called three-unit pause.The degree of semantic completeness of the utterances within a supraphrasal unity is reflected in the degree of finality of its nuclear tone. The last utterance in a unity normally has a falling nuclear tone with the lowest ending point while the fall in the non-final phrases doesn't doesn't generally reach the bottom of the voice-range.

17. The system & sphere of usage of emphatic static & kinetic tones

Emphatic tones are used in speech for two main purposes: 1) to increase the semantic prominence of separate words in an utterance or that of an entire utterance; 2) to attach an emotional colouring to an utterance. Emphatic tones are modifications, or variants, of basic kinetic and static tones. Emphasis applied to a tone increases the force of articulation on the syllable carrying the tone and the effect of loudness. It also changes the pitch characteristics, moving the upper point of a kinetic tone upward and the lower point of it downward, thus widening the interval of the pitch-change. In the case of a static tone emphasis displaces the 'normal' pitch-height of the tone upwards or downwards.

A. The Use of Emphatic Static Tones

Emphasis on t h e onset of a high rising tune makes the question sound rhetorical. Emphasis on the onset syllable of a falling tune enhances the energetic character of a statement, command or exclamation. When the onset syllable of a low rising tune is made emphatic a note of impatience is suggested to an utterance.

B. Emphasis on Kinetic Nuclear Tones

The Emphatic High Rise is most commonly used in General questions to express extreme surprise or a shocked reaction. The Emphatic Low Rise is used in various types of utterances. In Statements and Imperatives this tone is often preceded by a low-pitched head and expresses a feeling of irritation, dissatisfaction. General and Special questions with an Emphatic Low Rise, preceded by a high-pitched lead convey a meaning of extreme surprise and incredulity. When a low-pitched head is pronounced before an Emphatic Low Rise the question acquires a note of antagonism and impatience.The Emphatic Fall gives an utterance an energetic note and imparts additional modal connotations, which depend on the communicative type of the utterance. Thus, Statements pronounced with an Emphatic Fall sound very categoric and decisive.Special questions with an Emphatic Fall sound insistent or contrastive.Imperatives and exclamations with an Emphatic Fall sound strong and enthusiastic.