MOI UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF LITERATURE LINGUISTICS FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND FILM

STUDIES

COURSE TITLE: ENGLISH PROSODY

COURSE CODE: ENG 321

TASK: TAKE AWAY ASSIGNMENT

LECTURERS NAME: DR. TIROP

REGIS NUMBER NAME GENDER PHONE SIGN

NUMBER
BA/0488/23 GODFREY ONCHARI M 0710591176
BA/0511/23 RUTH NASIMIYU F 0112787977
GER/0757/23 RAYMOND SAVARA M 0728955211

QUESTION 18: Functions of Intonation (attitudinal, accentual, grammatical, discourse)

Introduction

Intonation, according to linguistic knowledge, refers to the rising and falling of the voice in
speech, often through swooping, jumping, or a rise-and-fall pattern. Some scholars describe it as
the "melody of speech." This modulation of pitch is observed in various settings such as poetry
recitation, daily conversations, and news presentation on television. Its use in these contexts
helps speakers avoid monotonous delivery and break away from repetitive speech patterns.

Intonation plays a key role in shaping emotions, clarifying grammatical structure, highlighting
stressed words, and indicating the status of information in discourse. These functions are
classified into four primary categories: the Attitudinal Function, Accentual Function,
Grammatical Function, and Discourse Function. Each function is elaborated below with
examples and scholarly citations.

1. Attitudinal Function

This function allows a speaker to express their emotional state or attitude toward what they are
saying. It involves variations in pitch, tone, and tempo to convey meaning. The emotional tone of
a message can change based on how it is said.

Example:
If a lecture begins at 8:00 a.m. and a student arrives 30 minutes late, the lecturer may express
surprise by saying “Really?” with a rising intonation to signal disbelief. They may follow it
with a head shake and repeat the word “Really” in a falling intonation to show finality or
disappointment.

Scholarly Citations:

Intonation is essential in conveying the speaker’s emotions and attitudes (Ashby & Maidment,
2005; Bolinger, 1989; Cruttenden, 1986).

Different pitch patterns such as rising or falling contours signal emotional states like surprise,
doubt, certainty, sarcasm, or boredom (Bolinger, 1989; Cruttenden, 1986).
A sentence like “You’re going” can either express disbelief (rising intonation) or confirm a fact
(falling intonation) (Ashby & Maidment, 2005).

2. Accentual Function

The accentual function of intonation highlights or emphasizes certain words in a sentence. This
creates rhythm by alternating stressed and unstressed syllables. It also uses pitch changes to
emphasize key words and show contrast.

Example:
An eyewitness describing a hit-and-run might first say, “I saw a black lorry hitting the victim and
fleeing,” using a neutral falling intonation. However, to emphasize the importance of the
vehicle involved, they may say, “It was a black lorry that hit the victim,” using rising
intonation on “black lorry” to highlight that detail.

Scholarly Citations:

Intonation emphasizes important words and directs listener attention (Ashby & Maidment, 2005;
Bolinger, 1989; Couper-Kuhlen, 1986).

Emphasis is created by changes in pitch, loudness, or syllable length (Couper-Kuhlen, 1986;

Fudge, 1984).

Placement of the accent changes meaning, e.g., “I saw John” vs. “I saw John” (Bolinger, 1989).

3. Grammatical Function

This function clarifies sentence structure and helps determine whether a sentence is a statement,
question, command, or exclamation based on intonation patterns.

Example:
If a teacher sees a student loitering after the bell rings, they might say, “You stop!” using a rising
intonation to command. If said with a falling intonation, “You stop,” it may be interpreted as a
simple statement rather than a command.
Other examples include exclamations like “Snake! Snake!” which indicate alarm (rising
intonation), versus a joke said casually, “Snake, snake,” which would carry no sense of urgency
(falling or flat intonation). Similarly, in poetry or news reading, rising and falling intonation
evokes emotion and maintains interest.

Scholarly Citations:

Intonation distinguishes sentence types and marks grammatical boundaries (Ashby & Maidment,
2005; Cruttenden, 1986; Bolinger, 1989).

Rising intonation typically signals questions; falling indicates statements (Ashby & Maidment,
2005).

It disambiguates sentences with similar word order but different meanings (Bolinger, 1989).

4. Discourse Function

Discourse function manages conversation flow and signals information status. It involves turn-
taking, topic transitions, and marking new or given information.

Examples:

 Tonic stress signals new information. If someone asks, “Is it Tom who beat the old
woman?” and the response is “Yes, Tom did,” stress on Tom indicates new, significant
information.
 Rising intonation in a list implies continuation: “I want four people to help: Tom, Tracy,
Jane, and…” encourages the speaker to finish the list.
 Falling intonation often signals the end of a speaker’s turn in conversation.

Scholarly Citations:

Intonation organizes discourse, marks topic shifts, and regulates turn-taking (Chun, 2002;
Couper-Kuhlen, 1986).

Pitch patterns indicate agreement, intention, or speaker transitions (Chun, 2002).

It contributes to coherence by linking ideas and emphasizing importance (Chun, 2002).

Attitudinal Function of Intonation

The attitudinal function of intonation refers to the way speakers use pitch, tone, and tempo to
reflect their emotional states and attitudes during communication. This function allows the
listener to perceive not just the meaning of the words but also the feelings and intentions behind
them. Intonation can therefore express a wide range of emotions, such as surprise, anger, doubt,
excitement, or calmness. It serves as a crucial tool for expressing emotions and managing
interpersonal interactions. Below are two examples illustrating the attitudinal function through
the use of rising and lowered pitch:

1. High Pitch / Rising Intonation: Expressing Emotional Intensity During Conflict

In emotionally charged conversations, such as during an argument, speakers often adopt a rising
intonation or high pitch to emphasize a point or convey strong emotion—such as frustration,
anger, or insistence. This use of intonation is particularly effective in reflecting the speaker’s
heightened emotional state. For instance, a speaker might say with urgency and rising intonation,
"You never listen to me, do you?"—signaling both emotional intensity and a demand for
attention or validation.

This rising pitch not only emphasizes the key point of contention but also reflects the speaker's
assertiveness and urgency. As noted by Ashby and Maidment (2005), such variations in pitch are
central to conveying emotions and attitudes. Bolinger (1989) further supports this by noting that
rising contours can signal disbelief, confrontation, or a strong emotional stance depending on the
context. Therefore, high-pitched rising intonation serves as a vocal cue for emotional escalation
and the speaker’s internal tension.

2. Cooling Down / Lowered Pitch: Signaling Calm and Resolution

Conversely, when a conflict is resolved or when parties begin to agree, the speaker’s intonation
typically lowers and becomes more stable. This lowered pitch, often marked by a falling
intonation, signals a transition to calmness and emotional resolution. A statement like, "Okay, I
understand your point now," delivered in a softer, falling pitch, reflects relief, acceptance, and
cooperation.

Such a shift demonstrates the attitudinal function of intonation by signaling alignment and
mutual understanding. According to Cruttenden (1986), falling intonation often accompanies
statements that indicate closure or finality, helping to de-escalate emotional tension. This
calming intonation reassures the listener of the speaker’s willingness to cooperate and reach
consensus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, intonation is not just about the rise and fall of voice in speech; it also plays a
crucial role in conveying the correct meaning of sentences, expressing the speaker’s emotional
state, emphasizing important content, clarifying grammar, and structuring conversations. By
focusing on tone, stress, and pauses, one can significantly improve communication effectiveness
and listener engagement.

Both rising and falling intonations under the attitudinal function illustrate how intonation not
only conveys information but also reveals the speaker’s emotional engagement and interpersonal
intent. These tonal shifts play a critical role in shaping the dynamics of human interaction,
particularly in conflict and resolution contexts.
REFERENCES

Ashby, M. & Maidment, J. (2005). Introducing Phonetic Science. Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press.

Bolinger, D. (1989). Intonation and Its Uses. London: Edward Arnold.

Cruttenden, A. (1986). Intonation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Ashby, M., & Maidment, J. (2005). Introducing Phonetic Science. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.

Bolinger, D. (1989). Intonation and Its Uses. London: Edward Arnold.

Chun, D. M. (2002). Discourse Intonation in L2: From Theory and Research to Practice.
University of California, Santa Barbara.

Couper-Kuhlen, E. (1986). An Introduction to English Prosody. London: Edward Arnold.

Cruttenden, A. (1986). Intonation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Fudge, E. C. (1984). English Word-Stress. London: Allen & Unwin.