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What is intonation? What are the functions of intonation?

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What is intonation? What are the functions of intonation?

Intonation means the rise and fall of our voice. It is like the tune or melody when speaking. Intonation is not about words or grammar. It is about how we say things, not just what we say. Our voice can go up, down, or stay level. Intonation helps listeners get the real meaning. Every

language uses intonation in daily speech. It is very important for good communication. Let us discuss the four functions.

Grammatical Function: Intonation shows what kind of sentence we use. It helps tell if it is a question or a statement. For example, our voice rises at the end of a question. For statements, our voice falls at the end. 

Example:

  • Question: “Are you coming?” (voice goes up)
  • Statement: “I am coming.” (voice goes down)
Attitudinal Function: Intonation helps to express our feelings. It can show if we are happy, angry, or surprised. It changes the mood of the sentence. People understand emotions by listening to intonation. 

Example:

  • “Really?” (said with high tone = surprise)
Accentual Function: Intonation tells us which words are important. It puts stress on the key parts of a sentence. This guides the listener’s attention to the main ideas. 

Example:

  • “I want tea.” (means not coffee)
  • “I want tea.” (means not someone else)
  • “I want tea.” (means really want it)
Discourse Function: Intonation organizes the flow of speaking. It shows when we start a new idea. It shows if a thought is finished or will continue. 

Example:

  • “First, we went to the market...” (voice rises slightly, meaning more is coming)
  • “That’s all.” (voice falls, meaning the idea is finished)
In short, Intonation is the tune of our voice. Intonation gives our words more meaning. It shows grammar, feelings, stress, and structure. It makes spoken language clear and easy to follow. 

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Matthew Arnold
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