The implication of English terminal tones

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 745.

The linguistic function of word-stress

Word stress in a language performs 3 functions: constitutive, recognitive, distinctive.

1. Word stress constitutes a word, it organizes the syllables of a word into a language unit having a definite accentual structure, that is a pattern of relationship among the syllables. A word does not exist without the word stress Thus the word stress performs the constitutive function. Sound continuum becomes a phrase when it is divided into units organized by word stress into words.

2. Word stress enables a person to identify a succession of syllables as a definite accentual pattern of a word. This function of word stress is known as recognitive. Correct accentuation helps the listener make the process of communication easier, whereas the distorted accentual pattern of words, misplaced word stresses prevent normal understanding.

3. Word stress alone is capable of differentiating the meaning of words or their forms, thus performing its distinctive function. The accentual patterns of words (the degrees of word stress and their positions) form oppositions: 'import – im'port, 'billow (catch the wind) – be'low.

The most important nuclear tones in English are: Low Fall, High Fall, Low Rise, High Rise, and Fall-Rise.

The meanings of the nuclear tones are difficult to specify in general terms. Roughly speaking the falling tone of any level and range expresses certainty, completeness, and independence.

A rising tone, on the contrary, expresses uncertainty, incompleteness or dependence.

A falling-rising tone may combine the falling tone's meaning of assertion, certainty with the rising tone's meaning of dependence, incompleteness. At the end of a phrase it often conveys a feeling of reservation. It asserts something and at the same time suggests that there is something else to be said. At the beginning or in the middle of a phrase it is a more forceful alternative to the rising tone. In this position it expresses the assertion of one point, together with the implication that another point is to follow.

According to David Crystal, there are 9 ways of saying Yes as an answer to the question Will you marry me? For example:

Low fall conveys the most neutral tone; a detached, unemotional statement of fact.

High fall is emotionally involved; the higher the onset of the tone, the more involved the speaker; the choice of emotion (surprise, excitement, irritation) depends on the speaker's facial expression.

With a low rise, facial expression is also important; with a ‘happy' face, the tone is sympathetic and friendly; with a ‘grim' face, it is guarded and ominous.

High rise is emotionally involved, it is often disbelief or shock.

Rise-fall expresses strong emotional involvement; depending on the face, the attitude might be delighted, challenging, or complacent.