Here's a breakdown of how it works:
1. Intonation Units (IU) or Tone Units:
* These are the basic building blocks of spoken language.
* Each IU is a meaningful chunk of speech, usually containing one or more words, and marked by a distinctive rise or fall in pitch (intonation).
* They are like mini-sentences within a longer utterance.
2. Identifying Intonation Units:
* Pitch Movement: The most obvious indicator of an IU boundary is a change in pitch direction.
* A rising pitch often signals the beginning of a new IU.
* A falling pitch usually indicates the end of an IU.
* Pauses: Short pauses or breaks in the flow of speech also often mark IU boundaries.
* Stress Patterns: The placement of stress (emphasized syllables) can also help identify IUs.
3. The Role of Intonation Phrasing:
* Meaning and Clarity: Intonation phrasing helps us understand the meaning of what's being said. It clarifies relationships between words and phrases and helps listeners follow the flow of thought.
* Emotional Expression: The pitch and tone of IUs carry emotional cues, adding nuance and expressiveness to speech.
4. Factors Influencing Intonation Phrasing:
* Grammar: Sentence structure and grammatical relationships influence where IU boundaries are placed.
* Context: The situation, the speaker's intentions, and the audience all play a role in how intonation is used.
* Speech Rate: Intonation units may be shorter or longer depending on the speed of speech.
Examples:
* "I'm going to the store." This sentence could be divided into two IUs: "I'm going / to the store."
* "The cat sat on the mat." This sentence could be divided into three IUs: "The cat / sat on / the mat."
Understanding intonation phrasing is crucial for effective communication. It helps us understand the meaning of speech and helps us convey our own thoughts and feelings clearly.