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Unit 54. Before She Left School She Started Her Own Business.

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Dividing Prepared Speech into Units (1)

Unit 54; Part A

In most contexts, when we speak we are making up what we say as we goalong. However, many people at times need to plan and prepare speechmore formally, and read this aloud from a written text or develop itfrom notes. For example, students and academics may have to givepresentations or lectures in class or at a conference; business peoplemay have to give reports at meetings; teachers or broadcasters may needto read text aloud to their pupils or their audience. In Units 54 to60, we will look at some of the features of pronunciation that tend tobe found in the prepared speech produced in situations like these.

In prepared speech, we tend to put speech unit boundaries, often marked with a pause, at clause boundaries (see also Unit 32) although they can go elsewhere, too. In this example, from a presentation, speech units are marked with //. The ones at clause boundaries are marked with //:
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When written text is read aloud, speech unit boundaries are oftenplaced at punctuation marks (commas, full stops, etc.). However, speechunit boundaries may also be put in other places. 

Unit 54; Part B

In particular, we tend to put speech unit boundaries -
  • between two clauses linked by and or but:
    We have cut costs substantially// and will continue to invest.
    his is only one view// but it's supported by recent research.
  • before and after an adverbial clause (i.e. a clause that gives more information about how, where, when, why, etc.):
    Before she left school// she started her own business.
    We'll be meeting at eight// to get to the airport by ten.
  • after a clause which is the subject of a sentence (see also Unit 42):
    What they will do next// is unclear.
    How the process works// will be explained in the next lecture.
  • before and afer a non-defining relative clause (i.e. a clause that gives more information about a noun or noun phrase before it):
    The head of the police force// who is to retire next year// has criticised the new law.
    I would like to thank the conference organisers// who have worked very hard.

But notice that defining relative clauses are less likely to be separated from the noun they refer to by a speech unit boundary:

       The number of people who are emigrating// is increasing steadily.
       rather than: The number of people// who are emigrating// is increasing steadily.
       We objected// to the recommendation that was put forward.
       rather than: We objected// to the recommendation// that was put forward.
 
note.jpgNote: There may not be a speech unit boundary between clauses which are short:
We'll leave when we can. (rather than : We'l l leave// when we can.)

 



Exercises

flag.jpgIn each sentence, two possible speech unit boundaries are marked with //. Underline the one that is more likely.
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Example: The only college// that teaches medical statistics // is to close next year.
1    The ship was launched // in September 1942 // and destroyed a month later.
2    Property prices will increase// as long as interest rates// remain low.
3    The bird is ofen heard// but seldom// seen in the wild.
4    They took what they could carry// and lef the rest// of their belongings behind.
5    Why students drop out// of university// is a complex issue.
6    Thieves made off// with the painting// despite security guards in the building.
7    Most people also speak French// which is taught// from the age of six.
8    Who gave the order//  to shoot// is to be investigated further.
9    Women// who are pregnant// should avoid alcohol.
10 He claimed// he was innocent// but the jury disagreed.

Now listen and check your answers, and then say the sentences aloud.
 
flag.jpgPrepare to read aloud this extract from a talk about complementarytherapy. Think about where you will put speech unit boundaries and markthese with //. Use the information in A and B to help you. Read theextract aloud and, if possible, record and listen to yourself.
Key.54.5.jpg 
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Now listen to the extract as it is said on the recording.

Follow up:Record a short section (about 30 seconds) of a radio news broadcast inEnglish. Listen as many times as you need to and write out what issaid. Try to mark the speech units with //. Which of these are atclause boundaries?


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