VOICE AND

INTONATIO
N

E
Or (vocalization) is the
sound uttered through
the mouth of a living
creatures, especially of
human
beings
in
speaking,
shouting,
singing etc.

VOICE
CHARACTERTISTICS
PITCH - the relative tone of
a persons voice: how high
or low it is, how
monotonous- the force or
INTENSITY
volume of tone:how loud or
soft it is
QUALITY - the character
or distinctive attributes of a

VOICE
DISORDERS

BREATHINESS
Is caused by vocal cord
vibration that does not have a
closed phase like in the sexy,
whispery bed room voice
heard on some tv commercial.

HOARSENESS

Is caused by vocal cords

that are closed too tightly,
so they cannot vibrate

VOCAL RANGE
Is the span from the highest
to the lowest note (pitch) a
particular voice can produce.

SPEAKING RATE
RATE OF SPEAKING is a
persons talking speed; how
fast
ortalk
slow
If you
too fast, your partner
may feel that you are in a hurry. If
you talk too slow, you may lose your
partners attention.
a person can talk at 140 - 160
words per minute and be clearly
understood.

 women speak
faster on average
men
the speed of
rapping is usually
measured in

PROSODY
Is the rhythm - stress and
intonation patterns of
speech.

rhythm the variation of

the length and
accentuation of a series of
words.

INTONATION
Is the variation of pitch
when speaking - the
rise and fall of the voice
as it slides from one
pitch to another.

TYPES OF INTONATION

THE FALL - (falling

intonation) the pitch
decreases with time
Statements and replies
Exclamation
Orders, commands and
warnings
Wh - questions

Her boyfriend came to

dinner
I have finished
working
This is the end of the
news.
Im 6 feet tall
Whats your name?

THE RISE (rising

intonation) - the pitch
increases over time
* before pauses or
commas
*hesitation
* requests
* ordinary questions

 Are you hungry?

Are you scared?
Is this yours?
He doesnt have a
car
Where are you

THE FALL RISE

(dipping intonation) the pitch falls and then
rise
Afterthoughts
Tag questions

 Its a beautiful town,

isnt it?
She knows him, doesnt
she?

THE RISE FALL

(peaking intonation) the pitch rises and
then falls
Two sense group

A: Phillips coming back on

Wednesday.
B: Is he? Thats great. I
havent seen him for ages.
A: yes, I think the last time
was new year, wasnt it?
B: yes, it must have been,
because we went to the
fireworks in Hampstead. Do

A: oh yes, anyways he got

an interview for a job in the
city.
B: oh, so hes thinking of
moving back to London?
A: he must be
B: that great
A: yes, well have to
convince him to come back

STRESS
Is the relative emphasis that
may be given to certain
syllables in a word or certain
words in a sentence.

INFLECTION - the
modulation of the voice; the
change/ alteration in pitch or
tone
PAUSE - the brief
suspension of the voice, or
hesitation, while speaking

CONTENT
WORDS VS.
FUNCTION
WORDS

CONTENT
WORDS
Nouns
verbs
Adjective
Adverbs

WORDS
Articles
Prepositions
Conjunctions
Helping verbs
Possessive adjectives