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:![]() 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 ↓↑// ![]() |
Exercises
![]() | Unit 38 Unit 39 Unit 40 | ![]() |
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