Intonation in Long Sentences - English Pronunciation with JenniferESL

Summary

In this lesson, we explore intonation patterns in longer sentences, focusing on low-rise and fall-rise intonations. We learn how these patterns signal incompletion and add more information, with practical examples illustrating their use. The lesson highlights the difference between the hesitant low-rise and the more certain fall-rise intonation, especially in lists and counting. Practical exercises and comparisons help solidify understanding, ending with a short text demonstration of combining these intonations effectively. The session emphasizes how intonation affects meaning and expression in speech.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ The lesson focuses on intonation patterns in longer sentences and how to use thought groups or intonation groups effectively.
• 📚 Intonation can signal the continuation of a thought, using low-rise intonation to indicate more information is coming.
• 📉 The fall-rise intonation pattern involves dropping the voice and then rising again, often used in the same places as the low-rise.
• 🔍 Both low-rise and fall-rise intonations end with a rise, signaling that the thought is not complete and more is to follow.
• 📝 There might be a difference in using these patterns when stating lists; low-rise can sound more hesitant, while fall-rise can sound more certain.
• 🗣️ The speaker demonstrates the difference between low-rise and fall-rise intonation through counting and emphasizes the change in certainty and authority.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The 'angry parent' voice example shows how the tone and expression can change the meaning of a statement significantly.
• 🔁 It's possible to combine both intonation patterns in a single sentence to convey a complex thought or to add on to a statement.
• ⏸ The fall-rise pattern can also be used when pausing due to hesitation, especially when what follows is surprising or disappointing.
• 📑 In reading a text, thought groups, focus words, and rises and falls in intonation are marked to guide the reader through the sentence structure.
• 👢 The script concludes with an example of how to apply these intonation patterns in a conversational context about purchasing leather boots.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson in the provided transcript?

The lesson focuses on intonation patterns within longer sentences, specifically using thought groups or intonation groups to convey meaning and the use of low-rise and fall-rise intonation patterns.

What are thought groups or intonation groups in the context of this lesson?

Thought groups or intonation groups refer to the way sentences are divided into smaller parts for the purpose of intonation, making it easier to understand the flow and meaning of the sentence.

What is the purpose of using low-rise intonation in a sentence?

Low-rise intonation is used to signal that the speaker is not done yet and that there is more information to follow, indicating incompletion.

How is the fall-rise intonation pattern different from the low-rise intonation pattern?

The fall-rise intonation pattern involves dropping the voice and then rising again, which can sound more certain and authoritative compared to the low-rise intonation, which may sound more hesitant.

In what situations might a speaker use the fall-rise intonation pattern?

A speaker might use the fall-rise intonation pattern when they need to pause due to hesitancy, when they are listing items, or when the information that follows is surprising or disappointing.

How does the speaker demonstrate the difference between low-rise and fall-rise intonation when counting?

The speaker counts using both intonation patterns. With low-rise, the count sounds more hesitant, while with fall-rise, it sounds more certain and authoritative.

What is the effect of using an 'angry parent' voice in conjunction with the fall-rise intonation pattern?

Using an 'angry parent' voice with the fall-rise intonation pattern can make the speaker sound even more certain and authoritative, and can change the meaning and expression of the statement.

Can the two intonation patterns, low-rise and fall-rise, be used together in the same sentence?

Yes, the two intonation patterns can be combined in the same sentence to convey different nuances of meaning and to structure the sentence effectively.

What is the purpose of marking thought groups, focus words, and rises and falls in a text?

Marking these elements helps to understand the structure of the sentence, where the emphasis lies, and how the intonation guides the listener through the sentence, enhancing comprehension.

How does the speaker conclude the lesson in the provided transcript?

The speaker concludes by reading a short text that illustrates the use of thought groups, focus words, and intonation patterns, and then thanks the viewers for watching and encourages them to continue their studies.

What is the significance of the phrase 'I got them in Texas' in the context of the lesson?

The phrase 'I got them in Texas' is used as an example of how to apply the discussed intonation patterns in a natural context, and it also serves as a light-hearted conclusion to the lesson.

Outlines

00:00

📈 Intonation Patterns in Longer Sentences

In this lesson, the focus is on understanding and using intonation patterns within longer sentences. The speaker explains the concept of thought groups or intonation groups and their importance in forming clear and coherent sentences. The video emphasizes using low-rise intonation to signal that a sentence is not complete and introduces the fall-rise intonation pattern as an alternative. Examples and practices are provided to help learners grasp these patterns and apply them in their speech.

05:20

🗣️ Comparing Low-Rise and Fall-Rise Intonation

This segment differentiates between low-rise and fall-rise intonation patterns, noting that both signal incomplete thoughts but can convey different levels of certainty. Through examples like listing items and counting numbers, the speaker demonstrates how low-rise intonation may sound hesitant while fall-rise intonation appears more certain and authoritative. The importance of context and the effect of intonation on meaning and expression are highlighted. The video encourages practice and offers examples to help viewers understand and apply these intonation patterns effectively.

10:36

🤠 Conclusion and Farewell

The final paragraph wraps up the lesson by sharing a personal anecdote about buying leather boots in Texas, adding a touch of relatability. The speaker concludes with a thank you message to the viewers and wishes them success in their studies, leaving a positive and encouraging note at the end of the lesson.

Keywords

💡Intonation patterns

Intonation patterns refer to the rise and fall of the voice in speech, which can convey different meanings or emotions. In the video, intonation patterns are central to understanding how longer sentences are structured and how they can be used to signal the continuation or completion of a thought. For example, the script discusses the use of low-rise and fall-rise intonation to indicate incompletion or to add more information.

💡Thought groups

Thought groups, also known as intonation groups, are segments of speech that are spoken in one breath and represent a single idea or thought. The video script emphasizes the importance of thought groups in managing the flow of speech, especially as sentences become longer. The script illustrates this with model sentences and the use of different intonation patterns within these groups.

💡Low-rise intonation

Low-rise intonation is a pattern where the speaker's voice rises slightly at the end of a thought group, signaling that more information is coming. In the context of the video, it is used to indicate that the speaker is not yet finished with their thought, as demonstrated when the instructor says, 'We can use low-rise intonation to signal that we're not done yet.'

💡Fall-rise intonation

Fall-rise intonation is characterized by the voice dropping and then rising again, often used to add information or list items. The video script explains that this pattern can be used similarly to the low-rise, but it may sound more certain or authoritative. An example from the script is when the instructor counts using fall-rise intonation, making it sound more certain.

💡Incompletion

In the video, the concept of incompletion is related to the use of certain intonation patterns to indicate that a speaker has more to say. Both low-rise and fall-rise intonations end with a rise, signaling that the thought is not yet complete, as the instructor notes, 'Both patterns end with a rise, and that signals incompletion.'

💡Lists

Lists are a common structure in speech where multiple items are enumerated, often using specific intonation patterns. The video script discusses how lists can be stated with different intonations, such as low-rise for hesitation or fall-rise for certainty. The instructor provides examples of listing pairs of shoes with different intonation patterns to illustrate the difference in tone.

💡Hesitation

Hesitation in speech is the act of pausing or slowing down while speaking, often due to the need to think or the anticipation of a surprising or disappointing statement. The script mentions hesitation in the context of using fall-rise intonation when the speaker needs to pause before adding on to their thought.

💡Certainty

Certainty in speech is conveyed through the confidence and assertiveness in a speaker's tone. The video script contrasts the use of low-rise and fall-rise intonations, with the latter sounding more certain, as in the counting example where the fall-rise makes the statement sound more definite.

💡Authoritative

An authoritative tone is one that commands attention and respect, often associated with confidence and control. The script describes how using a certain 'angry parent' voice with fall-rise intonation can make a statement sound more certain and authoritative, changing the meaning and expression of the speech.

💡Surprise

Surprise is an emotion that can be conveyed through speech, especially when using specific intonation patterns. The video script suggests that a fall-rise intonation can be used when the speaker is about to say something surprising, as it allows for a pause before delivering the unexpected information.

💡Disappointment

Disappointment, like surprise, can be communicated through speech and intonation. The script mentions that a fall-rise intonation can be used to prepare the listener for potentially disappointing information, as it creates a pause that heightens the anticipation of the forthcoming statement.

Highlights

Focusing on intonation patterns within longer sentences.

Using thought groups or intonation groups in longer model sentences.

Starting sentences with a longer thought using low-rise intonation to signal incompletion.

Multiple intonation patterns available for longer sentences, including in first or middle thought groups.

Introduction of the fall-rise intonation pattern, involving voice drop and rise.

Comparing fall-rise to low-rise for signaling incompletion in sentences.

Low-rise intonation sounding more hesitant and less certain.

Fall-rise intonation sounding more certain and possibly authoritative.

Demonstration of counting with low-rise and fall-rise to illustrate differences.

Using 'angry parent' voice to enhance certainty and authority with fall-rise.

Combining low-rise and fall-rise intonation patterns in the same sentence.

Using fall-rise when hesitating to add on to a thought.

Fall-rise used for surprising or disappointing statements.

Reading a short text with marked thought groups, focus words, and intonation rises and falls.

Providing an example of using intonation to convey meaning and expression changes.

Encouraging viewers to understand the difference between intonation patterns.

Concluding the lesson with thanks and encouragement for further study.

Transcripts

In this lesson, we'll focus on intonation patterns within longer sentences.

Like the one I just said about boots.

[title]

My model sentences are getting longer now,

so I'm using thought groups or intonation groups.

Remember what those are?

Sometimes our sentences begin with a longer thought.

It could be a phrase or a whole clause (with a subject and a verb).

We can use low-rise intonation to signal that we're not done yet.

There's more information that we'd like to add.

There's more than one intonation pattern we can use in longer sentences.

- Either in that first thought group or a middle thought group.

So I'll share a second.

It involves dropping our voice and then rising again.

Some call it a fall-rise intonation pattern.

We can use this fall-rise in many of the same places as the low-rise.

You try. Let's practice the fall-rise intonation pattern.

Repeat after me.

So what's the difference between the low-rise and and the fall-rise?

I don't believe there's a significant difference.

Both patterns end with a rise, and that signals incompletion.

You're not done with your thought.

There's more coming.

Here's where I think there could be a difference.

Stating lists.

Listen and compare.

I have one pair of sneakers,

a few pairs of boots,

two pairs of sandals,

and...several pairs of dress shoes.

I have one pair of sneakers, a few pairs of boots,

two pairs of sandals,

and several pairs of dress shoes.

When I used low-rise intonation the first time,

I needed time to think.

My statement sounded more hesitant, less certain.

The second time I used fall-rise intonation.

It sounded more certain.

Perhaps even more authoritative.

See if you can understand the difference when I count.

First, I'll use a low-rise.

1...2...3...4...5.

Now I'll try a fall-rise.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Sounds more certain.

I can make it even more certain and perhaps authoritative if I use that "angry parent" voice.

1, 2, 3, 4...

Do you see how the meaning...and the expression changes?

We can even put these two intonation patterns together in the same sentence.

I did this at the beginning of the video when I said,

...and then I add on.

We might also use a fall-rise when we need to pause because we're hesitating to add on.

To finish our thought.

We know what we're going to say, but perhaps what we're going to say is surprising or disappointing in some way.

You'll hear statements like,

You could try, but it may not work.

They're good, but expensive.

Let's put everything together.

We'll read a short text.

I'll mark the thought groups,

show the focus words,

and also show where we rise and fall.

If you want, I'll tell you where I got these leather boots.

Do you want to know?

I got them in Texas.

That's all for now. Thanks for watching and happy studies.