The structure of the phonetic analysis of a sentence

Intonation of Compound and Complex sentences.

Compound Sentences.

The sequence of tones in CdS consisting of two or more coordinated clauses depends on the degree of their semantic unity. The nuclear tone of the final intonation group (clause) is determined by the communicative type of the utterance (statement, question, imperative). The choice of the tone on a non-final intonation group is determined by the degree of its semantic importance and completeness (its role for the meaning of the whole utterance) and the character of its semantic relations with the preceding and the following intonation groups which may be defined in terms of contrast, emphasis, continuation, afterthought.

a) Low Rise: indicates that the utterance is not finished and a continuation is going to follow. It is used in an initial part of a CdS when the adjacent clauses are symmetrical in their grammatical structure and parallel in meaning.

b) Fall-Rise: used with the aim of emphasising the prominent word of the intonation group or contrasting it to another idea in the same context. Such intonation groups sound complete and are closely connected in meaning with the continuation.

c) Low/High Fall: due to the final, complete, categoric character of the Falling tone a non-final intonation group with this nuclear tone sounds relatively complete and independent. Pronounced with the falling nuclear tone initial clauses of CdS sound like independent utterances, since their grammatical structure is also complete.

Complex Sentences.

CxS 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 is determined by the communicative type of the sentence. If the principal clause implies continuation, or each of the clauses is semantically independent, they arrange separate intonation groups pronounced with the Falling, Rising and Falling-Rising tones. Long subordinate clauses may fall into a number of intonation groups.

Subordinate clauses preceding the principal clause form separate intonation groups, as a rule. The terminal tone of the first intonation group is determined by its semantic value (Low Rise, Fall-Rise, High/Low Fall).

1. Read the given sentence aloud.

2. Mark the border between the syntagms.

3. Mark the sentence-stress.

4. Mark the rhythmic groups.

5. Transcribe the sentence.

6. Mark all the phonetic phenomena (assimilations, elision, linking “r”).

7. Mate the tonogram of the sentence and mark the pitch sections.

8. Determine the communicative type of the sentence and explain the usage of the nuclear tone.

The example of the phonetic analysis of a sentence.

2. There is only one syntagm in this sentence, because the direct address in the sentence final position does not form a separate intonation group.

3. what – stressed: an interrogative pronoun; your – unstressed: a personal pronoun; name – stressed (Low Rise): a noun; boy – partially stressed: a noun.

4. There are three rhythmic groups in the sentence.

5. [wots jə neim boi]

ts – regressive assimilation (fricative plosion)

ts – progressive assimilation (after voiceless [t] [s] is voiceless)

6. head: descending, falling

nucleus: Low Rise

tail: rising

IC-III (non-categoric, encouraging further conversation)

7. It is a special question. It may be treated as a friendly SQ pronounced with Low Rise which is common in talking to children. The final direct address does not form a separate intonation group thus it is partially stressed and forms the rising tail of the tune. It does not serve to call the listener’s attention but expresses politeness.

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