English Online with Speak Method |
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Standard American Intonation (intonation means rhythm and
stress):
Unlike many cultures, where intonation develops through rhythms that
are musical in nature, American English stresses information. Perhaps this is
because we are a combination of many cultures. Begin to adjust your
rhythm by thinking about what information you want to deliver. Information
is often in the form of nouns, though verbs are more important when
nouns become known (pronouns). For instance: friend co likes My would like a cup of ffee. She it.
Rule
1: In the
simplest terms, stress nouns, then verbs, then other words. Intonation varies based on the speaker and situation. However,
if you use a rhythm that does not emphasize important information, this
will sound strange (and difficult to understand) to Americans. Create stress
using one of these ways: 1) change your pitch; 2) speak the stressed
word for more time (give the sounds more emphasis, especially vowels).
For public presentations, most people speak the stressed words a little
more loudly. |
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Continue Learning:
Rhythm
and Stress:
Rule 2 |
Rhythm
and Stress:
Rule 3 |
Rhythm
and
Stress: Rule 4 |
Rhythm
and
Stress: Rule 5 |
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