Intonation in English & Arabic Done by : Fatma Ahmed AbuKaydah 220080754 (201) Definition of the intonation

Intonation in English & Arabic

• Done by :
• Fatma Ahmed AbuKaydah 220080754 (201)

Definition of the intonation :

• Cook :” the rise and fall of the voice during speech “
• Kharma &Hajjaj : “ the distinctive use of pitch , or melody in sentence.

Functions of intonation :

• In grammatical structure .
• Clarify the contrast between different question types & the way which question differ from statement .
• Express speaker’s attitude .

The importance of intonation in social interaction :

• Turn-talking
• Information structure
• Distinguishing the meaning

• two basic patterns :
• Falling intonation.
• Rising intonation .

• Intonation pattern :

What is falling intonation ?

• a pattern in which your voice falls to low pitch by the end of the thought group or statement .

What it dose communicate ?

• Certainty :
• You are telling the fact or you are right .
• Completion :
• You are done from speaking .

Falling intonation :

• Declarative sentence .
• WH- question .
• Commands .

What is rising intonation ?

• Conveys your impression
• It use on :
• Yes – No questions.
• open choice alternative questions.

Types of English intonation :

• High – Fall :
• The voice starts high and falls to law pitch .
• We use it in :
• *Polite , friendly verb less .
• *Polite & affirmative structure .
• ex. This is diving room .

Low – Rise :

• Low – Rise :
• The voice starts at low or medium pitch and rises to high pitch .
• We use it in :
• When expecting agreement in tag- question structure .
• ex. You like to drink tea , don't you ?

Low – Fall :

• Low – Fall :
• The voice starts medium pitch and falls to low pitch .
• We use it in :
• In cold expressions verb less .
• ex. Good

Low –Rise :

• Low –Rise :
• The voice starts low and rises to medium pitch .
• We use it in :
• Friendly & polite expression in an interrogative structure .
• ex. Do you live near here ?

Fall –Rise :

• Fall –Rise :
• The voice starts high then falls then rise .
• We use it in :
• Expressing partial agreement
• ex . He is flying to London .

Rise – Fall :

• Rise – Fall :
• The voice starts in medium pitch then rises and then falls .
• We use it in :
• Expressing impressions in a form of
• verb less structure .
• ex . Fantastic

Intonation patterns in Arabic :

• The differences between English and Arabic intonation pattern :

• a) Tag question

• Arabic
• Always rising

• English
• Rising : agreement
• Falling : denoting
• Agreement

b) Calling on persons

• English : we have
• 2 cases

• Name is stressed on
• last syllable ,it take
• High intonation
• ex. Marie

• Name is stressed on
• First syllable ,it take
• High fall pattern
• ex. Jane

b) Calling on persons

• Arabic

• The most commonly
• used pattern is high
• fall pattern .

• when there is a long
• distance between the
• two person we use
• high pattern .

activities for teaching English intonation :

• Teacher must be aware of different function of intonation .
• Use conversation in order to turn-talking , supporting , questioning .
• Have assistant ( record – native speakers)

Teacher can use role play and drama activities ( play – stories…..)

• Teacher can use role play and drama activities ( play – stories…..)
• Intonation can also teach by fun and games .
• Teachers can express their attitude and feeling by using intonation .

Practice :

• Say “ Hello “
• To a friend you meet regularly .
• To a friend you haven’t seen for 10 years .
• To a friend whom you don’t like .