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<blockquote data-quote="Rich Forest" data-source="post: 798923" data-attributes="member: 11190"><p>The short answer-- intonation is used to convey meaning differences in English.</p><p></p><p>And English intonation (like that of other languages) is fairly complicated--complicated enough that teachers of English as a foreign language devote large chunks of time teaching it. I know I do. One of the simplest examples of intonation in English is the difference between typical "Yes/No question" intonation and "Wh-question" intonation. Yes/No questions generally have rising intonation at the end of the utterance. Wh-questions generally have falling intonation. And as you've correctly pointed out, intonation is often used in English to show politeness. In fact, Ohio State University offers an entire seminar course in the study of English intonation for PhD students-- "Ling 795T: English Intonation." <a href="http://www.ling.ohio-state.edu/events/SU2002/SU2002_inton.html" target="_blank">Right here.</a> </p><p></p><p>[BTW, technically, linguists usually use the term "inflection" to describe changes in word form-- things like tense, aspect, etc., at least, in American English. "Intonation" is a better term for what you're describing.]</p><p></p><p>It's a bit strong, however, to say that English "requires" the use of intonation when making a snide comment. In fact, it's very likely that your friend is <em>choosing</em> not to use appropriate intonation, in order to get a specific response from people. Now he may not be entirely aware of this, which seems evident from your argument with him. Or he may be aware of it. But most of the time, we aren't aware of the choices we're making in how we use language, but we're still making the choices. I think it might serve your friend a specific purpose to not use as much intonation as some other people do. I won't surmise as to what that purpose might be, since I don't know your friend. </p><p></p><p><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Also, as RangerWickett mentions, there are a few different ways intonation is used by languages. Some languages use intonation to mark chances in individual word meanings, which is something that English doesn't do. These languages are called "tone languages," and are what RangerWickett is referring to by the term "Inflected Language." Chinese is the big example. Linguists tend to use the term "tone" to talk about intonation being used to signify different word meanings and "intonation" to talk about utterance-level meaning changes. However, English does use intonation to make meaning changes at the utterance (That is, "clause," "sentence," what have you) level. </p><p></p><p>I'd also be willing to bet that your friend does use intonation appropriately whenever it is useful to him. It could just be that his intonation contours are flatter than most people. But nobody actually speaks in a true monotone all the time.</p><p></p><p>Rich</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rich Forest, post: 798923, member: 11190"] The short answer-- intonation is used to convey meaning differences in English. And English intonation (like that of other languages) is fairly complicated--complicated enough that teachers of English as a foreign language devote large chunks of time teaching it. I know I do. One of the simplest examples of intonation in English is the difference between typical "Yes/No question" intonation and "Wh-question" intonation. Yes/No questions generally have rising intonation at the end of the utterance. Wh-questions generally have falling intonation. And as you've correctly pointed out, intonation is often used in English to show politeness. In fact, Ohio State University offers an entire seminar course in the study of English intonation for PhD students-- "Ling 795T: English Intonation." [URL=http://www.ling.ohio-state.edu/events/SU2002/SU2002_inton.html]Right here.[/URL] [BTW, technically, linguists usually use the term "inflection" to describe changes in word form-- things like tense, aspect, etc., at least, in American English. "Intonation" is a better term for what you're describing.] It's a bit strong, however, to say that English "requires" the use of intonation when making a snide comment. In fact, it's very likely that your friend is [I]choosing[/I] not to use appropriate intonation, in order to get a specific response from people. Now he may not be entirely aware of this, which seems evident from your argument with him. Or he may be aware of it. But most of the time, we aren't aware of the choices we're making in how we use language, but we're still making the choices. I think it might serve your friend a specific purpose to not use as much intonation as some other people do. I won't surmise as to what that purpose might be, since I don't know your friend. :) Also, as RangerWickett mentions, there are a few different ways intonation is used by languages. Some languages use intonation to mark chances in individual word meanings, which is something that English doesn't do. These languages are called "tone languages," and are what RangerWickett is referring to by the term "Inflected Language." Chinese is the big example. Linguists tend to use the term "tone" to talk about intonation being used to signify different word meanings and "intonation" to talk about utterance-level meaning changes. However, English does use intonation to make meaning changes at the utterance (That is, "clause," "sentence," what have you) level. I'd also be willing to bet that your friend does use intonation appropriately whenever it is useful to him. It could just be that his intonation contours are flatter than most people. But nobody actually speaks in a true monotone all the time. Rich [/QUOTE]
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