PROSODIC FEATURES

To monitor our mistakes

Intonation

Pitch

Pause

Stress

Juncture

Some Definitions

A relatively brief silence or other speech phenomenon producing a similar impression.

A property of syllables which makes them stand out as more noticeable than others. It seems likely that
stressed syllables are produced with greater effort than unstressed ones.

“I considered and rejected a number of alternative terminologies to the use of prosodic:

suprasegmental, for ex., because it carried too dominantly the implications of a specific linguistic theory
and because the prefix supra implies a priority of segmental over non-segmental features.” (Crystal D.)

Pause

Rhythm

Loudness

Tempo

Length

"Prosodic features are features of speech such as pitch, loudness and quantity that affect stretches of
utterances longer than a segment, such as a syllable, a word or a sentence.” (Ortiz Lira, H.; English
Phonetics for Spanish Speakers)

Tempo

Prosodic features are features of speech as intonation, rhythm, stress, voice quality, loudness and
tempo that can be added to the basic segments, usually to a sequence of more than one sound. (Roach,
P.; Introducing Phonetics)

Loudness

The auditory impression of the amount of energy present in sounds. We all use greater loudness to
overcome difficult communication conditions (bad telephone line).

Rhythm
Prosodic features are those features which are not grammar, vocabulary or segmental phonology but as
important as them. (Crystal D; Prosodic Systems and Intonation in English)

The pattern of prominent and non-prominent syllables in an utterance.

add something extra about the speaker or the situation where speech takes place

Juncture

The way one sound is attached to its neighbours. It’s the transition from sound to sound either within
the word or within the sentence.

This is my wife, Laura.

It's my office. (friendly, inviting)

Intonation

It's my office. (rude, invaded)

The variations in the pitch of the voice used to convey or alter the meaning.

John?

John!

John

Intelligibility

Stress

Duration. Sounds or sounds sequences can be ordered on a scale running from short to long. A change in
length would imply a change in speed or rhythm of the unit.

The linguistic use of speech rate or speed. We use such variations to convey something about our
attitudes and emotions.

can change meaning

This is my wife Laura.

Communicability

Pitch

The aspect of auditory sensation in terms of which sounds may be ordered on a scale running from low
(grave) to high (acute).

What's the aim of considering these features?

Confidence