Sequence of tones

A sentence may contain one, two or more nuclei, and consequently as many tone-groups. Any pair or more of tone-groups in any one sentence (simple or compound) constitutes a tone-sequence.

We can collect typical examples of the various sorts of sequences.

It will be found that tone-sequences may express various forms of

co-ordination, subordination, reciprocal prominence or contrast. In the spoken language of everyday conversation, used with a rapidity and spontaneity, we tend to express the sequence of our ideas by means of tones.

In sentences containing more than one intonation group almost any combination of terminal tones is possible.

· Fall + Fall or Rise + Rise

· a) equally prominent alternatives or contrasts.

It may be green|| or lue. It may be /green || or / blue.

You can take his one|| or hat one.

I don’t know|| and I don’t care.

b) apposition

I’ve just seen Brown, || the doctor.

c) other cases difficult to define.

He’s obliged to go to London,|| on usiness

The subordinating sequences are used in sentences containing two prominent elements, the one expressing the more important, and the other the less important fact. The one expressing the more important has the falling, and the one expressing the less important has the rising or the falling – rising nucleus. The speaker wishes to call the attention of the hearer to the fact that a given element in the sentence is to be related to, modified by, or connected in the hearer’s mind with another element in the same sentence.

· F+R He plays, || / sometimes.

This sequence is also used in cases of sharp, protesting or angry contradiction:

Monday!|| _not/ Tuesday!

· R+F

This sequence is semantically equal to F+R, except that the order is reversed:

/sometimes || he plays.

· F+ F-R

This sequence may be used in contradiction having a polite or ‘concessive’ character.

It is here, || not /here.

In the following examples contrast is implied between the two words constituting the respective nuclei.

something is|| better than / nothing.

This sequence is used for similar purposes as F+R except that in the present case the contrast is expressed less aggressively.

Monday!|| not / Tuesday!

· F-R + F

This sequence is semantically equal to F + F-R, except that the order is reversed.

/ No, || we haven’t ime.

Here are the most common sequences of tones in unemotional speech:

LOW FALL + LOW FALL LOW RISE+ LOW FALL MID LEVEL + LOW FALL

LOW RISE+ LOW RISE LOW FALL+ LOW RISE

· The falling- rising tone may be also treated as a more expressive variant of the rising tone.

The terminal tone of the initial intonation group is generally determined by the communicative sentence type and the attitudes conveyed by the speaker. Statements commonly sound with the Low Fall if they express finality. In case the phrase conveys non-finality the Low Rise can be recommended, eg.:

The choice of the terminal tones for non- final intonation groups depends on their completeness and significance.

The Low Fall is used in non- final intonation groups if they are definite, firm, complete and weighty, eg.:

The Low Rise or the Mid Level are frequently used with non-final groups, when the speaker is leading up to something more and a continuation of some sort is implied, eg.:

If similar terminal tones are used in both intonation groups, the meaning of the phrase is reinforced and the general effect is intensified, eg.:

The sequence of tones in compound sentences consisting of two or more coordinated clauses depends on the degree of their semantic unity. If the non- final intonation group (a clause) is semantically independent and does not imply continuation the low falling terminal tone is used, eg.:

In case the idea of the non- final clause is not completed and continuation is implied the low rising or falling- rising tones are recommended, eg.:

The terminal tone of the final clause is determined by the communicative type of the sentence and the attitudes conveyed by the speaker, eg.:

Complex sentences contain the principal clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The latter may follow the principal clause, precede it or break the main clause into two parts.

If the subordinate clause in post-position and the principal clause present a single semantic whole they do not form separate intonation groups. The choice of the final terminal tone in this case is determined by the communicative type of the a sentence, eg.:

If the principal clause implies continuation, or each of the clauses (principal and subordinate) is semantically independent they arrange separate intonation groups. The principal clause in this case may be pronounced with the falling, rising or even falling-rising tones, eg.:

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