Stress and Intonation
Stress and intonation are important features of spoken English. They help us to communicate meaning clearly and effectively. Both are connected to how we say words and sentences, not just what we say.
What is Stress?
Stress in English refers to giving extra emphasis to certain syllables in a word or certain words in a sentence. When we stress something, we say it louder, longer, and with a higher pitch.
Types of Stress
- Word Stress: In multisyllable words, one syllable is stressed. For example, in the word “important,” the stress is on the second syllable: im-POR-tant.
- Sentence Stress: Some words in a sentence are stressed more than others, usually the content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs). For example: “I bought a new car yesterday.”
Why Stress is Important
Stress helps listeners understand the most important parts of a message. If stress is used wrongly, it can confuse people or change the meaning. For example:
- She didn’t steal the money. (Someone else did.)
- She didn’t steal the money. (She might have borrowed it.)
What is Intonation?
Intonation is the rise and fall of the voice when speaking. It helps to express emotions, attitudes, and grammatical functions.
Types of Intonation
- Rising Intonation: When the voice goes up. Often used in yes/no questions. Example: “Are you coming?”
- Falling Intonation: When the voice goes down. Used in statements and WH-questions. Example: “Where are you going?”
- Rising-Falling Intonation: The voice rises and then falls. Used to show interest or surprise. Example: “Really?”
Why Intonation is Important
Intonation shows the speaker’s attitude and emotions. It helps to make speech more interesting and natural. Without proper intonation, speech may sound flat and boring, or the message may be misunderstood.
Stress and Intonation Together
Both stress and intonation work together to make spoken language clear and expressive. They guide the listener in understanding what is important and how the speaker feels.
Tips to Improve Stress and Intonation
- Listen to native speakers and notice how they stress words and use intonation.
- Practice reading sentences aloud, focusing on stress and pitch.
- Use audio books and mimic the speaker’s tone and rhythm.
- Record your speech and compare it to native examples.
Conclusion
Stress and intonation are key parts of spoken English. They help to communicate the right meaning and emotion. Learning them takes time and practice, but they are essential for speaking English fluently and clearly.