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In general, all utterances produced using tone groups containing falling nuclear tones (Low Drop, High Drop, Long Jump and Jackknife) sound definite and complete. While utterances produced using tone groups that contain Rising tones (Take-off, Switchback, High Dive and Terrace) convey continuity, invite to further conversation. STATEMENTS pg 47

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ATTITUDE The speaker wishes each item to be regarded as separate items of interest When listing items we use rising tunes to indicate continuity up to the last item of the list where the falling tune indicates that the list is complete Detachment – lack of involvement – coolness - reserve Power – strength on the part of the speaker Categoric, weighty, judicial, considered statements Expressions of both approval and disapproval, of both enthusiasm and impatience Involvement – friendly attitude – participative Indication of warmth – lightness – airiness Frequently used in everyday conversation Inviting to further conversation Guarded attitude. Reserving judgement until hearing more information from the listener

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Used to appeal to the listener to change his attitude which the speaker considers wrong (cont.)

TONE GROUP

EXAMPLES

LOW DROP

He was tall, / dark, / and handsome //

LOW DROP (on last item)

He was tall / dark / and handsome //

LOW DROP Without head

(I’ve got the sack) - can be lieve it // I en tirely a gree with you //

LOW DROP With head HIGH DROP With high fall

I haven’t the slightest I dea // It’s half past twelve // OR - I can hardly be lieve it // It’s a nice day //

TAKE-OFF

(D’you go to the theatre?) - Sometimes // (I shall have to sack him) - You can’t do that // (cont.)

Resentful contradictions 58

(You haven’t done your homework) - Yes I have //

Implied criticism, lack of confidence, he blames himself or praise the speaker too much, sounds deprecatory

-

( You’ve done a fine job)

- I don’t know // You could have done it just as well // 58

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Deprecatory attitude (he considers his statement to be is uninteresting-irrelevant)

And when I got there / he gave it to me

Continuative purpose – i.e: when listing / enumerating items. (When the list is complete, the last item has a falling tune, see the cell LOW DROP on last item)

One, / two, / three, / four, / He was tall, / dark / and handsome //

Smoothing – reassuring – with a hint of self-confidence on the part of the speaker

It’s all right // You won’t fall // I shan’t be a moment //

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In echoed (and not obviously echoed) statements turns the statement into a surprised and disbelieving question

LOW BOUNCE (He’s broken his leg) - Broken his leg ? (I won the first prize) - And you didn’t tell us ?

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Frequently used with non-final groups, when the speaker is leading up to something more To draw attention to a particular element for contrast while showing the intention to continue the utterance. (Contrast words can be uttered or implied – but the attitude of contrasting them is conveyed by intonation, by the use of the fall-rise nuclear tone)

As soon as you see him / tell him I’m here // On weekdays / I work, // but on Saturdays / I don’t. // SWITCHBACK

Sometimes / He irritates me terribly // (Did you played at the weekend?) - I did on Saturday //

Concession as in “grudging admission” (the speaker makes an explicit concession about an aspect but implies reservation on others)

(Is it raining?) - It is at the moment // (it may stop soon) (what a nice voice) - Yes, / She has a nice voice //

Concession. “Reluctant or defensive dissent” (the speaker requires a concession from the listener about an aspect but implies agreement on the reminder)

.

(but I don’t think much of her as an actress)

(you look cold) – I’m not e xactly cold // (just a bit) 70

Explicit correction. Sounding concerned, reproachful or hurt

(Everyone’s gone) - Not everyone // (I’m still here) (How many were there? Sixty?) - Seventy //

Direct contradictions (concerned, reproachful, hurt) 71

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(John won’t be here today) – I think he will //

Warning (concern or reproach)

You’ll miss your train //

Apologies (concerned and suggesting reservation on the part of the speaker) Tentative suggestions (the speaker wants to help but does not want to commit himself) Participation and involvement. Definite and complete. (A rising head adds an attitude of protest)

I beg your pardon // (But I’m afraid I must contradict you) (What will you do?) – I could try phoning him, I suppose (John said you disliked the play) – I liked it im mensely // LONG JUMP (You ought to have told me) – I didn’t think it was im portant

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Complete statements with an effect of questioning in most cases. Often used in echoed statements to avoid repetition

You like him ?

(meaning: Do you like him?)

HIGH BOUNCE (it’s your fault) - My fault ? (meaning: Did you say it was my fault?)

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Continuity (in non-final word groups) in a more casual and tentative way than the Take-off or the Low Bounce in similar circumstances. Impress, owe. Definite, complete Often used to echo immediately prior remarks

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Complacent, self-satisfied and smug

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Challenging or censorious

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Intensifying function (as if using of the word “even”}

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Disclaiming responsibility or involvement

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Used whenever the first part of a word group contains the most important idea, and the second part an idea of subsidiary importance.

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I like the colour, / the shape, / and the pattern // (he’s got two wives) - I know // (She was wearing purple tights) - Purple // (John’s failed his test) - I’m not sur prised // JACKKNIFE (I don’t like the man) - You’ve never even spoken to him // (I can’t do it) – You aren’t trying // (= you aren’t “even” trying) (Do you mind if I join you) - Not in the least // (I’ve got some chocolate) – I like chocolate // (like is the Highlighted word - chocolate is repeated but the utterance is not definite) I didn’t know you were going to the theatre //

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Implies that the speaker’s opinion was correct

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Expressions of gladness, regret and surprise

HIGH DIVE (He’s gone bankrupt) - I heard he was in trouble // (John’s here) I’m glad he was able to come // I’m so glad he came (The phone broke) – He was rather sur prised you didn’t ring him //

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Non finality Calling out to someone, as if at a distance (with final word groups)

I went across the road / with murder in my heart TERRACE (Where are you John) - Just coming //

WH QUESTIONS 49 49 50 54

Brisk, businesslike, serious, searching, intense, urgent questions – not unfriendly (giving an exclamatory air) Reinforcing approval or disapproval (giving an exclamatory air) Detached and even hostile (If the LAW FALL occurs on the WH word) Friendly and interested

Now where did I put my pipe ? LOW DROP

How could you be so stupid ? Who told you to tell me ?

HIGH DROP What’s the time? // OR - (I saw the Queen today) Where? //

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Asking for information to be given or repeating the listener’s question

TAKE-OFF With int. word as nucleus

(The meeting is at 5) - When? (I thought it was at 4) (His name was Scruggs) – What was that? // Scroggs ?

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Disappointing and resentful

Puzzlement (with sense of repetition)

TAKE-OFF With nucleus in any other word but int. LOW BOUNCE with int. word as nucleus

(Please don’t do that) - And why shouldn’t I ? // (it’s a free country)

(They did it last week) – They did it when?

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Friendly enquiries. Stablishing a bound with the listener. Shows interest in the answer as well as in the listener. (commonly to address small children) In echoed questions shows disapproval of the questions being asked Astonishment, surprise ( with interest and concern)

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Make corrections to questions and statements

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Protest (asking about unexpected/unpleasant things)

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Calls for the repetition of information already given – or echoes part of the question

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LOW BOUNCE (Hello darling) What have you got there ? (How long will you be?) - How long? (how should I know?) SWITHBACK

(How will John get home?) – How will Jane get home you mean LONG JUMP HIGH BOUNCE with nucleus either on ? word or not

A note of challenge and antagonism (as if using the word BUT before a question or the word THOUGH after it)

Disclaiming of responsibility

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Considerable emotion (plaintiveness or despair)

(I told David about it) – Why did you do that ?// (It wasn’t necessary) (When’s he arriving?) - When? // (or where?) When he’s ar riving? // (is that what you asked)

(I’ve put it here) – (But) Where? JACKKNIFFE

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(Are you going to the party?) – Am I going? // (Well, of course I am!)

(I know it for a fact) – How do you know (though)? (Where’s Jane?) – How on earth should I know?

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Gushing warmth

HIGH DIVE Very unusual

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Shows non-finality

TERRACE

(Oh, no!) – What have you done now? (what’s up John?) – Could you possibly help me? Where were john and Ann going / be fore they came to us?

YES / NO QUESTIONS 50 50 51

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Asking questions with a serious suggestion or as a subject for urgent discussion Keeping someone to the point on order to get a straight answer to a straight question. Beginning with “Will you…” often function as imperatives With negative questions the effect is exclamatory. (as well as in “Would you be lieve it ! ) Similarly exclamatory effect by placing the nuclear tone on the special finite To mark the last of many possibilities Demanding agreement from the listener. In this case, the preceding word group ends with a LOW FALL nuclear tone. (In question tags as independent statements) lack of interest or hostility

Well, couldn’t we borrow some money? But did you see him on Sunday? Will you be quiet ! LOW DROP Isn’t it wonderful ! Isn’t it wonderful ! Would you like tea / or coffee? LOW DROP In question tags

What a beautiful day, / isn’t it ?

(I’ve just come back from Paris) - Have you ? (John damaged your car today) - Did he ?

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Put forward as suggestions or as subjects for discussion (in a less urgent manner that with LOW DROP) (HIGH FALL nuclear tone on the special finite when the preceding word group ends either with HIGH FALL or a rising nuclear tone) Demanding agreement (as independent comments) Mild surprise but acceptance of the listener’s statement With a dissenting word the question demands scrutiny of what the listener appears to be assuming

HIGH DROP HIGH DROP In question tags

(Shall we try again?) - Well would it be any use ? It’s ri diculous, / isn’t it ? (She’s 35) - Is she ? // (I thought she was younger) (I’m glad the car is all right again) - But is it ? / (that’s the point)

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Disapproval or skepticism

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(as independent comments) disapproval and skepticism

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TAKE-OFF

TAKE-OFF In question (in conjunction with a preceding statement) the speaker tags is inclined to one view rather than the other and expects the listener’s agreement. A form of invitation (in “Will / won’t / would – you?) Acknowledge something which has previously been stated, stablished or accepted by both parties. (Direct question tags) Genuine interest (without head, a high pre-head avoids the skepticism of the TAKE-OFF) - - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Offered as subjects of discussion and decision rather than for an immediate answer – overtone of protest for the question is crucial Could be echoed questions Straightforward questions that sound lighter, more casual than with the TAKE-OFF or the LOW BOUNCE Providing a minimum response so as to keep the conversation going (after short comments) The speaker accepts what has been said and it’s impressed by it This effect is also conveyed with negative question forms used exclamatorily

(I’m sorry now that I did it) - Are you really sorry ? (He’s only 33) - Is he ? // (he looks much older) It’s about 10 o clock / isn’t it ? Come and sit down, / won’t you ? (What a lovely dress) - You like it, / do you ?

LOW BOUNCE The + common SWITHBACK

Did you en joy the play last night ?// OR - Is this the one ? // -

- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -

LONG JUMP (I can’t do it today) - Well, can you do it to morrow, then ? HIGH BOUNCE

(Would you like one?) - Woud I like one ? // (I’d love one) (I don’t know what to do) - Can I help at all ? (I’ve just seen John) - Have you?

JACKKNIFFE (He shot an elephant) - Did he ? (This is Ann, the eldest) - Hasn’t she grown ! (or) Isn’t she lovely !

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challenging

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Challenging and antagonistic (with full questions – as with WH questions) Compelling agreement (when the preceding word group also has the RISE-FALL as its nuclear tone)

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(You can’t do that) - Can’t I / (we’ll see about that!) (Can we afford to buy it) - Can we af ford not to ?

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(Same as in WH QUESTIONS)

JACKKNIFFE In question tags HIGH DIVE

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(Same as WH QUESTIONS)

TERRACE

You can hardly blame her, / can you ? (Same as in WH QUESTIONS) Is that the best you can do / to patch it up?

COMMANDS 52

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Serious and strong (the speaker takes for granted that he will be obeyed). Commonly used with “DO” and “PLEASE” Unemotional, clam, controlled, often cold when used in short commands with no head (just the LOW FALL nuclear tone) Suggest a course of action

LOW DROP Come and have dinner with us // OR - Please be quiet //

Gently you clumsy man // OR - Sit John // HIGH DROP

Appealing to the listener (beginning with “DON’T – see TAKE-OFF statements) Not often used Calm warning or exhortation (in a few short commands) Encouraging and calmly patronizing (implies that the speaker is, may be temporarily, in a superior position)

Urgent warning

LOW BOUNCE Commonly used to children SWITCHBACK

(This tea is too hot) - Put some milk in it // (I’m going to sack him) - Don’t do that // (he’s not a bad chap) -

Careful // OR - A gain // (Steady, watch, etc)

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Don’t worry // OR - Move a long, please //

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Try and be there by six // (otherwise it’ll be too late)

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Recommendation for a course of action with a hint of surprise and/or criticism Elucidating part/all of the listener’s utterance (without criticism) Shrugging off responsibility – refusing to be embroiled

LONG JUMP

Pleading or persuading (in affirmative the HIGH FALL takes place in the verb – in negative in DON’T – and on DO or PLEASE used as intensifiers.) has the effect of making a request rather than giving an order

HIGH DIVE Quite common (Will you be all right?) - Please don’t worry about me //

Non-final word group - continuity

TERRACE

HIGH BOUNCE JACKKNIFFE

(what shall I do?) - Try it a gain // (there’s no other alternative) (Take it home) - Take it home? // (is that what you said? (My dr. is useless) - Try a different one //

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Don’t start all that a gain //

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Come over here / and tell me all a bout it //

INTERJECTIONS 53

Serious and strong

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Calm, unsurprised, self-possessed, reserved

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Mild surprise (less reserved / possessed than the LOW DROP) Imply reserved judgment, requires more explanation from the listener. (only used in a few short interjections) Calm, casual acknowledgment of a not unexpected matter Airy, casual with an encouraging effect

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Bright and friendly greetings (head or pre-head unstressed and high in pitch

LOW DROP Commonly used LOW DROP With no head HIGH DROP TAKE-OFF Not common

What a lovely day for a picnic // How ri diculous // Good // Nonsense // Good morning // etc (I must help him) - How very noble of you // (It’s half past ten) - Well // (we’re not in a hurry) (Your change, Sir) - Thank you //

LOW BOUNCE Commonly used

(I’ll see you tomorrow) - Right you are // (Tea?) - No, thank you // -

Godd morning // OR - Hul lo, there // OR - Good bye //

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Scorn (in few interjections) SWITCHBACK

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Correction to interjections

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LONG JUMP

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Protest (the speaker is surprised and feels an explanation is due to him) SEE COMMANDS

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Greatly impressed by something not entirely expected

JACKKNIFFE

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Greeting with a hint of accusation (the listeners owes an explanation) Intense effect (much more than that in the LOW BOUNCE)

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(Will you give in?) - Not likely ! // (What a lovely hat!) - What a lovely handkerchief //

HIGH BOUNCE

(You passed you exam) - What wonderful news // (I can’t believe it) SEE COMMANDS (Take my car) - Thank you // OR - Splendid // OR - My goodness // -

HIGH DIVE Similar to Low Bounce

Good morning // (you are late for class)

(I’ll see you tomorrow) - Right you are // (Do make some tea) - All right // (I was just leaving)

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Non-final word-group – continuity

TERRACE -

Although not very common, it can be used in final groups

Good by / and good riddance ! //

(I’ve brought you some tea) - Good girl ! // Thank you ! //