i want to know what happens next on the rol play…
Introduction to the course
Welcome to Intermediate Pronunciation
Vowel phonemes
Traveling Vowels /eɪ/ and /aɪ/
Diphthongs /aʊ/ /oʊ/ /ɔɪ/
Here Comes The Bossy R!
Quiz: Vowel phonemes
Consonant phonemes
Almost A Vowel Sounds
SH Sounds: Post-Alveolar Fricatives
Post-Alveolar Affricates
TH Sounds: Dental Fricatives
Quiz: Consonant phonemes
Spelling and pronunciation
Consonant Clusters
Irregular Verbs
Linking Sounds
Contractions For Fluency
Color or Colour?
Homonyms, Homophones and Homographs
Quiz: Spelling and pronunciation
Stress
How to Stress Syllables in English
Stress in Compound Words
Lazy Stress or Moving Stress?
Stress Patterns In Sentences
Quiz: Stress
Intonation
Playing With Tone
Playing With Pauses
Playing With Meaning
Quiz: Intonation
Closing
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Resources
How does tone influence communication in English?
Tone is a fundamental tool in any language, and especially in English, to convey not only the content, but also the emotion and intent behind a message. Let's delve into how different tones can change the perception of what we say and how we can use them to bring our English to life.
What is intonation?
Intonation refers to the pitch patterns in speech, that is, the melody created by the rises and falls of our voice. It is our perception of whether a sound is high or low and is mainly divided into falling and rising tones.
- Descending tones: Often used to end a statement or give a command, they suggest certainty or conclusion.
- Rising tones: They usually give the impression that the sentence is not yet complete or that the speaker is more friendly and considerate.
How does tone affect statements, commands and questions?
The use of tone can completely transform the meaning and perception of a sentence. For example:
- Statements: With a descending tone, they indicate certainty. "Our meeting is at eight o'clock" denotes that the fact is definite.
- Orders: By using a softer (ascending) tone, an order such as "Send me the documents by eight o'clock" may seem more thoughtful.
- WH questions (who, what, where, etc.): Usually with descending tones to denote concern, but an ascending tone can make it more friendly.
- Yes-no questions: Usually with rising tones to suggest that an answer is expected, however, a falling tone can express insistence.
How to practice correct intonation?
To master intonation, it is essential to practice and play with tone in different contexts. Here are some suggestions:
- Role-playing: simulate conversations like Ben and Mrs. Miles. This will allow you to experiment with intonations in a realistic context.
- Listening practice: Listen to music, audiobooks or dialogues in English. Pay attention to how tone is used for various purposes.
- Recordings: Recording yourself speaking and then listening can be revealing for adjusting your tone as needed.
- Workbook: Download supplemental materials and practice exercises such as those suggested in class.
Exploring tone can not only improve your language ability, but also how your message is perceived. Keep exploring and practicing, and you will soon see significant improvements in your English communication.
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I tried it, you can listen to my recording, playing it here.
## **Intonation**
* The pitch patterns of speech, in other words, the tune or melody of an accent (the rises and falls).
* Pitch is our perception of sound as high or low.
In English, we have falling and rising tones. Adding tones adds life and color to your English.
## **Statements**
* Falling tones are more frequent with statements.
`Our meeting is at eight o’clock. ↓`
* If a rising tone is used with a statement, it will sound like the sentences is not completely finished or that the speaker is questioning that statement.
`Our meeting is at eight o’clock. ↑`
## **Commands**
* Falling tones are more frequent with commands.
`Send me the documents before eight o’clock. ↓`
* If a rising tone is used with a command, it will sound like the sentences is not completely finished or that the speaker is trying to be gentler, warmer or considerate of the other person’s feelings (more of a request).
`Send me the documents before eight o’clock. ↑`
## **Wh-questions**
* Falling tones (often low fall) are more frequent with wh-questions.
`What is your biggest challenge at work right now? ↓`
* If a rising tone is used with a wh-questions, it makes the speaker sound friendlier, more intimate and considerate of the other person’s feelings.
`What is your biggest challenge at work right now? ↑`
## **Yes-no questions**
* Rising tones are more frequent with yes-no questions.
`Could you have it done by tommorow? ↓`
* If a falling tone is used with yes-no questions, it makes the speaker sound insistent.
`Could you have it done by tommorow? ↑`
## **Summary**
**Excercise**
what about when you repeat another person’s question as if asking “are you really asking me that?”. I feel there’s a double rise in tone there, is it possible? For instance: Do you like chocolate?
Do I like chocolate?! Of course I do!
Some sentences with IPA:
- You mean the project that is due by the end of the week?
ju min ðə ˈprɑʤɛkt ðæt ɪz du baɪ ði ɛnd ʌv ðə wik?
- I’ve been working non-stop and I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish it on time.
I’ve been working non-stop and I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish it on time.
- I’ll see who can help you from your department and the work will be properly distributed.
aɪl si hu kæn hɛlp ju frʌm jʊər dɪˈpɑrtmənt ænd ðə wɜrk wɪl bi ˈprɑpərli dɪˈstrɪbjətəd.
- But you are behind schedule
bʌt ju ɑr bɪˈhaɪnd ˈskɛʤʊlPero estás atrasado - The workload has become unmanageable
ðə ˈwɜrˌkloʊd hæz bɪˈkʌm ənˈmænɪʤəbəl
- and we must do what it takes to make it happen.
ænd wi mʌst du wɑt ɪt teɪks tu meɪk ɪt ˈhæpən.
- I do know you have a strong commitment towards our company
aɪ du noʊ ju hæv ə strɔŋ kəˈmɪtmənt təˈwɔrdz ˈaʊər ˈkʌmpəni.
- Let’s turn in that project on Friday
lɛts tɜrn ɪn ðæt ˈprɑʤɛkt ɑn ˈfraɪˌdeɪ
- I will keep you posted!
aɪ wɪl kip ju ˈpoʊstɪd!
Playing with tone:
My audio:
https://voca.ro/1a3hBimIFc0J
Here is my recording.
https://voca.ro/1a3qHgZnrwCK
I did my best. 😃
thanks!!
Nice
thanks
Thank you
Mrs Miles: Good morning Ben↘️.
Ben: Good morning Mrs Miles. Thanks for meeting me today↘️.
Mrs Miles: What is it that you wanted to talk about? ↗️.
Ben: I'm very concerned about the upcoming deadline↗️.
Mrs Miles: You mean the project that is due by the end of the week? ↗️.
Ben: Yes. I've been working non-stop and I'm afraid I won't be able to finish it on time↘️.
Mrs Miles: The work is urgent, Ben↘️. The client is waiting ↗️. Have you considered working late?↘️.
Ben: I'm always the last person to leave the office and the first one to come in ↘️.
Mrs Miles: But you are behind schedule ↘️.
Ben: I don't mean to be rude, but I've been working as fast as I can ↗️!!. I need additional support. The workload has come unmanageable ↘️.
Mrs Miles: Thank you for letting me know, Ben. I'll see who can help you from your department and the work still be properly distributed ↘️. This project must be finished by the end of the week ↗️, and we must do what it takes to make it happen↘️.
Ben: yes, Mrs Miles. Thank you for understanding ↘️.
Mrs Miles: And now that you mention it ↗️. I do know you have a strong commitment towards our company and I really appreciate your contribution this year↘️. Why don't we schedule another meeting 🤝 to discuss your pay ↗️?. Let's turn in that project on Friday and we will meet again next Tuesday at 10:00 am↘️.
Ben: Thank you, Mrs Miles ↗️!. I will keep you posted↘️.
My Recording, it’s very difficult
Ben: Good morning, Mrs. Miles falling. Thanks for meeting me today.falling
Mrs. Miles: What is it that you wanted to talk about?Rising
Ben: I’m very concerned about the upcoming deadline. Rising
Mrs. Miles: You mean the project that is due by the end of the week?rising
Ben: Yes.falling I’ve been working non-stop and I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish it on time.Falling
Mrs. Miles: The work is urgent, Ben.falling The client is waiting.Rising Have you considered working late?falling
Ben: I’m always the last person to leave the office and the first one to come in.falling
Mrs. Miles: But you are behind schedule.falling
Ben: I don’t mean to be rude rising but I’ve been working as fast as I can!rising I need additional support.falling The workload has become unmanageable.falling
Mrs. Miles: Thank you for letting me know, Ben. falling I’ll see who can help you from your department and the work will be properly distributed.falling This project must be finished by the end of the week rising and we must do what it takes to make it happen.falling
Ben: Yes, Mrs. Miles.falling Thank you for understanding.falling
Mrs. Miles: And now that you mention it,rising I do know you have a strong commitment towards our companyfalling and I really appreciate your contributions this year.falling Why don’t we schedule another meeting to discuss your pay?rising Let’s turn in that project on Fridayfalling and we will meet again next Tuesday at 10:00am.falling
Ben: Thank you, Mrs. Miles!rising I will keep you posted on all developments.falling
- Mrs. Miles: Good morning, Ben. (Statement) FALLING TONE
- Ben: Good morning, Mrs. Miles. (Statement) (FALLING TONE) Thanks for meeting me today. (Statement) FALLING TONE
- Mrs. Miles: What is it that you wanted to talk about? (Wh-questions adding warmth) RISING TONE
- Ben: I’m very concerned about the upcoming deadline. (Statement adding non-finality) RISING TONE
- Mrs. Miles: You mean the project that is due by the end of the week? (Yes-no question) RISING TONE
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