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Tone Group X.

The tone marks used in the following examples and drills have the values given in the drills of Tone Groups I – IX. Note however that [ _ıı ], indicating the low pitched syllable accented by stress alone, may be found not only in the Low Head preceding the High Fall but also in that part of the tune which lies between the High Fall and the Low Rise. Note also that any syllables occurring between the High Fall and the Low Rise, whether accented or not, must be said on a very low level pitch.

STATEMENTS.

In Chapter I, the following examples were given:

a) By the ^time he ar_/rived | he was com^pletely ex^\hausted.

b) He was com^pletely ex^\hausted by the _ııtime he ar_/rived.

The examples were used to show that Tone Group X is essentially a combination of a falling with a rising tune. More important, these two sentences have exactly the same meaning. In example a), the first sense group, with Tone Group VII, leads up to, or prepares the ground for, the second, with Tone Group IV, and is to this extent subsidiary in importance to it. Just the same is true in example b). The first part of the sentence, which has the pattern of a falling tune, is of greater importance than the second part, with the rising pattern. The speaker in both examples wants to concentrate attention mainly on the state of the man, and to a lesser extent on the idea of arrival. Prominence is still given in example b) to the words time and arrived, but the importance of this part of the sentence is left to less than that of the first part.

This is in general what Tone Group X does when used with statements: the falling part of the tune marks the idea which the speaker is mainly concerned to emphasise, and the rising part marks an addition to, or qualification of, this main idea, an addition which is of some importance but not the chief object of the speaker’s communication

This tone group is especially common when, in grammatical terms, the main clause of a sentence is followed by a subordinate adverbial clause or phrase, or ends with an adverb.

Examples:

In all these examples the main attention is on the main proposition, and subsidiary attention is given to the subordinate adverbial. This is very common, but it is perfectly possible, if the situation requires it, for the main attention to be concentrated on the grammatically subordinate clause.

Example:

Sentences with final adverbials are very common with Tone Group X, but so also are various other types of statement, and with the same effect.

Examples:

He’s a ^\nice chap, _/John.

I ^\like _/this.

The rise on John gives it some prominence and enables it to be identified with the subject of the sentence; otherwise it would be taken to be the name of the listener. The second example might be said, for instance, on visiting a friend’s house for the first time, when the main emphasis must be on the liking.

Final please and thank you generally have a rise after a statement with a falling tune; if they are merely said on a low pitch the full courtesy value of these words is lost.

Examples:

I’d ^like some ^\tea, _/please.

I’ve ^got e^\nough, _/thank you.

There is one particular case where an interesting difference of meaning as between Tone Groups X and IV is underlined. Compare:

a) I ^thought it was ^going to ^\rain.

b) I ^\thought it was _ııgoing to _/rain.

Suppose that the speaker has been to the theatre, and as he comes out he looks at the weather and sees that it is fine; then he will say a) above, meaning I thought it would rain but I see that I was wrong. On the other hand, if he sees that it has been raining, then he will say b) above, meaning: I thought it would rain and I see that I was right. In such examples, where the fall takes place on a word of thinking, fearing, hoping, etc. and the rise follows, Tone Group X implies the correctness of the speaker’s opinion.

Examples:

I ^\hoped you’d _/like it. | (And you ^\did.)

I was a^\fraid he might do _ıısomething _/silly.

He was ^\sure you’d a_/gree.

The same treatment is given to similar sentences, but where no alternative interpretation is possible.

Example:

I ^\knew you _ııwouldn’t ap_/prove of it.

This special property of Tone Group X, which enables a speaker to point out a main item of interest followed by a subsidiary one, is also used to obtain certain rather characteristic emotional effects.

Examples:

I’m ^\very _/sorry.

I’m ^\so _ııglad you could _/come.

I ^\do _ııhope you have a _ııcomfortable _/journey.

I’d be ^\awfully _ııgrateful you _/would.

In all these examples the main weight is placed upon the word indicating degree rather than on any word indicating quality, where it might logically be expected. The quality words sorry, glad, hope, grateful, are taken for granted, as it were, and the main effort concentrated on the great amount of these qualities.

The general effect of tone Group X in such cases is of a considerable degree of sentiment, of emotional reaction to the situation. This is found, for instance, in expressions of apology, of sincere appreciation, of gratitude and of good wishes

Examples:

I’m ^\so _ıısorry I’m _/late.

I ^\do _ııthink it’s _/kind of you.

_ııThank you ^\so _/much.

I ^\hope you have a _ııpleasant _/time.

The sentiment attached to Tone Group X is also much used in expressing regret, sorrow, sympathy.

Examples:

I ^\wish I _ııhadn’t been so _/rude.

You have ^\all my _/sympathy.

I was ^\terribly _ıısorry to _ııhear about _/Mary.

You must be ^\dying for a _/drink.

Sympathy often leads on to reassurance and Tone Group X is frequently used with reassuring statements.

Examples:

It’s ^\only a _ııfew _ııminutes _/walk.

I ^\won’t _ııkeep you a _/second.

There’s ^\always to_/morrow.

There is a strong resemblance between Tone Group X and VII in cases like these; but whereas Tone Group VII gives a faintly condescending or patronizing effect, the most powerful impression made by Tone Group X is of persuasiveness.

The sentiment or emotion associated with this tone group is not always of a pleasing kind. Many examples can be given of its use in circumstances where plaintiveness or pleading are the main ingredients, often associated with petulance, self-pity, resentment.

Examples:

I ^\wish you’d _ııdo as you’re _/told.

I ^\told you you’d re_/gret it.

I ^\do think you’re un_/kind.

I ^\always have to _ııdo the _/dirty ˙work.

SPECIAL QUESTIONS.

With the High Fall occurring on the interrogative word or on the auxiliary verb, these questions often have a plaintive, weary, even despairing note, and sometimes have an exclamatory effect.

Examples:

Alternatively special questions may show a warm sympathy and affection combined with a suggestion of great intimacy between speaker and listener.

Examples:

GENERAL QUESTIONS.

With the High Fall on the auxiliary verb or on some degree word occurring early in the tune, these questions, like Special Questions, convey a marked plaintive, pleading, or long-suffering tone, sometimes coupled with a feeling of impatience, even exasperation. The effect is sometimes exclamatory, the questioner expecting no answer.

Examples:

COMMANDS.

When a command ends with an adverbial, the main part of the sentence, containing the command proper, often has a fall, and the final adverbial is shown to be of subsidiary importance by means of a rise, exactly as with statements.

Examples:

^Carry on as ^\usual for the _/moment.

^Don’t say ^\anything unless you _/have to.

^Start right a^\way if _ııthat’s con_/venient ˙for you.

The main part of the sentence in these cases has exactly the meaning that commands have with Tone Groups III and IV.

In other types of command, though, the fall comes early in the sense group, on the verb or on some words such as do, don’t, please, and the rise follows. Then the dominant attitude is one of supplication or pleading, often accompanied by plaintiveness or reproach.

Examples:

Now ^\do be _/reasonable, ˙Charles.

^\Please don’t _ııbother on _/my ac˙count.

Oh, ^\don’t make _ıımatters any _ııworse than they _/are.

When the aim is to encourage, reassure or console, the pleading note is still very plainly present.

Examples:

^\Don’t take it _ııtoo much to _/heart.

^\Try not to _ıılet it _ııget you _/down.

This effect of personal pleading with the listener to be reassured is very different from the condescending note of reassurances with Tone Group VII, as for example in

^Try not to ^let it ^get you _/down.

INTERJECTIONS.

Interjections said with Tone Group X have a warm, appreciative, sympathetic, encouraging ring and often suggest an affectionate intimacy between the speaker and either the listener or some third party.

Examples:

Sometimes, in appropriate circumstances, they may convey a plaintive, sullen or resentful attitude, and sometimes a note of surprise or puzzlement is present.

Examples:

Greetings and Leave-takings sound pleasant and friendly with sometimes a note of surprise. Occasionally they convey a ponderously exuberant attitude.

Examples:

Assignments:

1. Listen to the recording of the “High Dive II” on the tape. Put down the script and intonation marks of the mini dialogues you hear. Figure out what types of sentences the recorded drills are and what attitude do they convey according to the tune they are pronounced with. Prepare test reading of these mini dialogues in pairs.

2. Read the following drills in pairs. Follow the intonation marked in the text. Analyse them from the point of view of their connotations.

Intonation Drills:

STATEMENTS.

QUESTIONS.

COMMANDS.

INTERJECTIONS.

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