Two main functions of intonation

Intonation performs several important functions in English. The first function is uniting separate words into sentences in oral speech. The second function of intonation is distinguishing between types of sentences: statements, questions, commands, requests, exclamations, etc. Also, intonation allows us to express emotions: finality, confidence, interest, surprise, doubt, joy, pain, irony, etc. when the meaning of the word please is neutralized by intonation.of balance between intonation and word content, or intonation and the grammatical structure of the utterance may serve special speech effects. A highly forceful or exciting statement said with a very matter-of-fact intonation may, by its lack of balance, produce a type of irony; if one says something very complimentary, but with an intonation of contempt, the result is an insult. The intonation pattern used gives information about whether an utterance is a statement or a question, the type of question and expected response, or whether something is part of a series of items, or something on its own.a statement, the intonation falls on the last syllable of a sentence. e. g. .is a similar pattern in an information (WH) question; these structures are identified by both the question word that starts the sentence and by the intonation pattern. e. g. information question contrasts with a “yes/no" question in which the intonation rises on the final syllable. e. g. a series, the first item (s) has rising intonation and the last one has falling intonation. e. g. the intonation pattern is incorrect, then the listener receives a confusing message and can be unsure of how to respond.is very important to understand that intonation patterns themselves have meaning. One and the same word or phrase pronounced with different types of intonation will convey different meanings and will be understood differently, for example: No. - No? - No! Change of standard patterns of intonation also has meaning, for example, rising intonation makes a command more polite, more like a request.intonation is very different from Russian intonation. Both languages use falling and rising intonation, but they are not the same in English and Russian. It’s very important not to bring Russian intonation into English because intonation patterns from Russian may convey a different meaning in English and cause misunderstanding and even produce an unfavorable impression of you.is necessary to study English intonation together with your study of grammar and vocabulary as soon as you start studying English because it will be difficult to get rid of the Russian accent later on. The best way to study English intonation is by listening and repeating. Marking the stresses, pauses, falling and rising intonation and other phonetic phenomena in the written copy of the recording that you are listening to helps to understand and memorize intonation patterns. It is also very useful to record your reading of the text transcript and compare your result with the audio file you have studied. The next step may be watching a film in English and listening for the intonation patterns that you have studied and started to use and so on.on pronunciation and intonation is hard work that requires patience and perseverance, and intonation patterns are especially difficult to master. A good ear helps a lot, so train your skills by listening and repeating, reciting poems and singing in English as often as you can. [8,59]