Intonation In English: Expression Of Two Words by Frank Gerace
Listen and Learn: The Intonation of Two-Word Expressions
Many
people think that pronunciation is what makes up an accent. It may be
that pronunciation is very important for an understandable accent. But
it is intonation that gives the final touch that makes an accent native.
Intonation
is the "music" of a language, and is perhaps the most important element
of a good accent. Often we hear someone speaking with perfect grammar,
and perfect formation of the sounds of English but with a little
something that gives them away as not being a native speaker.
Therefore,
it is necessary to realize that there is more than the correct
pronunciation of the vowels and consonants of a language. This is very
important and we do stress it in other articles. But it is only one of
the three components to an accent, pronunciation, intonation, and
linking.
In other places we will examine the correct
pronunciation of vowels and consonants, and linking, the way that
syllables within a word, and the beginning and ending of words come
together.
But in this article we will look at how the difference
that intonation makes in the daily use of a proper North American
English accent. The practice will help you to notice, practice, and
master the different intonation patterns that you will discover as you
concentrate more on your use of North American English.
Two Word Stress
Knowing
when and where to stress the words you use is very important for
understanding, and therefore, as part of a good accent. A clear example
is that of stress in two word expressions.
According to whether
it is an ordinary two-word expression or a special, set expression, the
place of the stress changes. In an ordinary expression the two words
are used to describe something like a "white HOUSE"
(meaning a house that is painted white, and not blue or gray). In this
case the most important note is the noun because we are talking about a
house that happens to be white. Similarly, a "fat BOY" is an overweight young male.
But
sometimes short two word expressions are set or "consecrated", (that
is, they mean something special) and have to be made different from
similar expressions. One example is "the WHITE
house" where Mr. Bush lives. In this case, the emphasis is on the
adjective because we are more interested in stressing that it is the
house that is known because it is white. In the same way, "FAT boy" is
the nickname of a boy, chosen because the word fat emphasizes his
weight.
It
will be useful for you to be aware of both types of two word
expressions. Here is a list of a few that will get you thinking and
give you some practice in identifying them and using them correctly.
Underline the syllable that is stressed, and write a brief explanation,
for both uses of each phrase. I start the exercise with two examples.
You do the rest. Make sure you say the phrases OUT LOUD!
WHITE house
In Washington
white HOUSE
House painted white
LIGHT bulb
Shines with electricity
Light BULB
A bulb that is not heavy
Now do these, underline the syllable that is stressed, and defining the word that has the indicated intonation.
Dark room, Dark room
A cold fish, A gold fish
The paper box, The paper box
An old key, A door key
A nice watch, A wrist watch
A sticky web, A spider web
A clean cup, A coffee cup
A toy gun, A water gun
A bright star, A movie star
A new ball, A foot ball
A sharp knife, A steak knife
An old brush, A hair brush
A dry leaf, A fig leaf
A pointy tack, A thumb tack
A blackboard, A black board
A green house, A green house
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