Unit 39. I'm Quite Busy at the Moment.
Falling and Rising Tones
Unit 39; Part A
In each speech unit (see Unit 32) there is one main movement of the voice, either up or down, starting on the last prominent word of the speech unit. Listen to this example: // you'll arRIVE ↑// at CENtral STAtion ↓// when you get OFF the TRAIN ↑// turn LEFT along the PLATform ↓// at the END of the platform ↑// there's an EScalator ↓// go UP it ↑// and you'll be in the MAIN SQUARE ↓// there's a FOUNtain ↓// in the SQUARE ↑// and I'll be WAITing for you THERE ↓// These speech units have either a falling tone ↓ or a rising tone ↑. |
Unit 39; Part B
A falling tone or a rising tone can extend over just one word (whichmay be only one syllable) or over a number of non-prominent syllablesat the end of a speech unit:
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Unit 39; Part C
Choosing a falling tone indicates that the information in the speechunit adds some 'news': it is information that the hearer is notexpected to know already. Choosing a rising tone indicates that theinformation in the speech unit is 'not news': it is information thatthe speaker and hearer already share. Distinguishing 'news' from 'notnews' in this way can help the hearer understand what is being said.
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Unit 39; Part D
| We can use a fall-rising tone instead of a rising tone to indicate that information is 'not news'. Compare these examples: A: Can you come over now? B: // I'm QUITE BUSy ↓// at the MOment ↑// or: B: // I'm QUITE BUSy ↓// at the MOment ↓↑//  Note: Itusually doesn't matter whether you use a rising or fall-rising tone.However, in some contexts one tone or the other is more likely. Formore details, see Unit 43B. |
Exercises
 Listen to the sentences and underline the last prominent word (wherethe main movement of the voice begins). Then show whether the voicerises (put ↑) or falls (↓) from there. (Note that each sentence is one speech unit.)Key.1 Was she really? ↑ 2 I suppose so. ↑ 3 I've always lived around here. ↓ 4 It's broken down again. ↓ 5 Shall I have a go? ↑ 6 You remember Pablo. ↑ 7 I gave it to my son. ↓ 8 Can we go now? ↓ 9 One moment, please. ↑ 10 There was dust all over the place. ↓ Example: I'm quite tired again. ↓ 1 Was she really? 2 I suppose so. 3 I've always lived around here. 4 It's broken down again. 5 Shall I have a go? 6 You remember Pablo. 7 I gave it to my son. 8 Can we go now? 9 One moment, please. 10 There was dust all over the place. Now say the phrases aloud in the same way. |
| Listen and decide whether the speech units in the B parts have a rising tone (put ↑, in the box) or a falling tone (↓). Key.1 B: // We could go now ↓// as you're ready ↑// 2 B: // I heard him come in ↑// at about three ↓// 3 B: // I thought his suggestion ↑// was ridiculous ↓// 4 B: // I hate it ↓// when it's so crowded ↑// 5 B: // I wouldn't mind some orange juice ↓// if you've got any ↑// 6 B: // They said it would be delivered ↑// by yesterday ↓// 7 B: // I first saw them perform ↑// a couple of years ago ↓// 8 B: // well why don't you try ↓// if you think you're so strong ↑// Example: A: Where on earth did you find that? B: //I came across it ↑// in an antique shop ↓// 1 A: What time shall we leave? B: // We could go now __// as you're ready __// 2 A: What time did David get back? B: // I heard him come in __// at about three __// 3 A: I'm not sure his plan would work very well. B: // I thought his suggestion __// was ridiculous __// 4 A: The hall was packed, wasn't it? B: // I hate it __// when it's so crowded __// 5 A: Do you want a drink? B: // I wouldn't mind some orange juice __// if you've got any __// 6 A: When did they tell you it would get here? B: // They said it would be delivered __// by yesterday __// 7 A: Have you heard Trio Gitano play before? B: // I first saw them perform __// a couple of years ago __// 8 A: I could move that easily. B: // well why don't you try __// if you think you're so strong __// Now listen again. Press 'pause' before each B part and read italoud. Then press 'play' again and compare your pronunciation with whatfollows. | |
Follow up: Read again the explanation in C opposite. Use it to decide why falling and rising tones are used in the B parts in exercise 2. | |
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