Question

Which type of intonation is used for yes / no questions in English?

• A. Falling intonation
• B. Rising intonation
• C. Level intonation
• D. Broken intonation

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Rising intonation

Understanding Intonation in English Phonetics

• Intonation refers to the rise and fall of the voice when speaking, which conveys meaning, emotion, and grammatical information. It is a crucial aspect of spoken English, especially in Phonetics and Phonology.
• There are primarily three main types of intonation patterns in English: Rising Intonation, Falling Intonation, and Fall-Rise Intonation.

Rising Intonation

• Definition: In rising intonation, the pitch of the voice rises at the end of a sentence or phrase. This creates a sense of incompleteness or a question.
• Primary Use: It is predominantly used for Yes/No questions. This is because the rising pitch signals to the listener that a direct answer (yes or no) is expected. For example:
  • Are you ready? (The pitch rises on 'ready')
  • Did she call? (The pitch rises on 'call')
  • Is it true? (The pitch rises on 'true')
• Other Uses: Rising intonation can also be used for:
  • Lists: When listing items, the pitch rises on each item until the last one, where it typically falls. E.g., I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
  • Showing Uncertainty or Doubt: To express hesitation or a question disguised as a statement. E.g., You're coming with us?
  • Encouraging a Response/Checking Information: E.g., This is the way to the station?
  • Conditional Clauses (often first part): E.g., If you need help, let me know.

Contrast with Falling Intonation

• Falling Intonation: In contrast, falling intonation is where the pitch of the voice falls at the end of a sentence.
• Common Uses of Falling Intonation:
  • Statements: To convey certainty and completion. E.g., I am going home.
  • Wh-questions: Questions starting with 'who, what, when, where, why, how'. E.g., What is your name?
  • Commands: E.g., Sit down!
  • Exclamations: E.g., What a beautiful day!

Importance for Competitive Exams

• Understanding intonation patterns is vital for phonetics and spoken English sections in competitive exams.
• Questions often test the appropriate intonation for different sentence types (statements, questions, commands).
• Distinguishing between yes/no questions (rising intonation) and Wh-questions (falling intonation) is a frequently tested concept.
• Knowledge of intonation helps in analyzing nuances of meaning and speaker's attitude.