The Semantic Function of Nuclear Tones in English

The semantic meaning of nuclear tones are difficult to specify in general terms. Roughly speaking, the falling tones carry with them the sense of completion and finality and are catagoric in character.

e.g. Where’s John? – he hasn’t _\ come yet.

What’s the time? – It’s nearly five o’ _\ clock.

The rising tones carry the sense of incompletion and non-catagoric character. A general question, for instance, has a rising tone, as the speaker is uncertain of the truth of what he is asking about.

e.g. I think I’ll go now. – Are you _/ready?

Parenthetical and subsidiary information in a statement is also often spoken with a rising tone or mid-level, because this information is incomplete.

e.g. I’m not sure I can join you now. – If you ^>like we can go to the picnic later.

The level tones express hesitation and uncertainty.

§ The Low Fall (LF) - _{\ ____}

The use of LF enables the speaker to convey in his/her utterance an impression of neutral, calm finality, definiteness, resoluteness. Phrases with LF sound categoric, calm, neutral and final.

e.g. They left for London _\ yesterday.

§ The High Fall (HF) -^\___

The use of HF and personal concern, interest and warmth to the features characteristic of the LF. The HF sounds lively, interested and airy in statements. It sounds very emotional and warm, too.

e.g. Oh, ^\hi! I’m very glad to ^\see you.

Oh, come ^\on! It is very ^\easy!

§ The Low Rise (LR) -_/___

The LR conveys a feeling of non-finality, incompleteness, hesitation. The phrases pronounced with LR sound non categoric, non-final, encouraging further conversation, wondering, mildly puzzled, soothing.

Encouraging or polite denials, commands, invitations, greetings, farewells, etc. are generally spoken with a rising tone.

e.g. Could you join us? – Not _/now.

What shall I do now? – Do go _/on.

§ The High Rise (HR) -^/___

The HR expresses the speaker’s active searching for information. It is often used in echoed utterances, calling for repetition or additional information or with the intention to check if the information has been received correctly. Sometimes this tone is meant to keep the conversation going.

§ The Fall-Rise (FR) - _{\ /____} (LFR) or^\/___ (HFR)

The FR is a highly explicatory tone. The speaker using this tone learns something unsaid known both to him and his interlocutor. It is often used in statements and imperatives. Statements with FR express correction of what someone else has said or a contradiction to something previously said or a warning. The imperatives pronounced this way sound pleading. Greetings and leave-takings sound pleasant and friendly being pronounced with the FR.

e.g. He is _\thirty. – He is _\thirty _/three (a mild correction).

I must be on _\time. – _\You’ll be _/late (a warning).

Good night, Betty. – _\Good _/night, Mrs. Sandford (friendly).

A FR may combine the falling tone’s meaning of ‘assertion’, ‘certainty’ with the rising tone’s meaning of dependence, incompleteness. At the end of the phrase it often conveys a feeling of reservation; it asserts something and at the same time suggests that there is something to be said.

e.g. Do you like pop-music? - _\ Some _/ times.

At the beginning or in the middle of the phrase it is more forceful alternative to the rising tone, expressing the assertion of one point, together with the implication that another point is to follow.

e.g. Those who work in the ^\/ offices ought to take plenty of exercise.

§ The Rise-Fall (RF) -_/\ _ (LRF) or ^/\_ (HRF) / The Rise-Fall-Rise - _/\/_ or ^/\/__

The RF/RFR denotes that the speaker is deeply impressed (favorably or unfavorably).

e.g. Are you sure? - _/\Yes.

Sometimes the RF expresses the meaning of ‘even’.

e.g. You aren’t _/\trying (You aren’t _even trying)

the RF is used in statements and questions which sound impressed, challenging, disclaiming responsibility. Imperatives pronounced in this way sound hostile and disclaiming responsibility.

e.g. Don’t treat me like a baby. – be _/\sensible then.

Has he proposed to her? – Why should you _/\worry about it?

Did you like it? – I simply _/\hate it.

I’m awfully sorry. – No _/\doubt (But it’s too late for apologies).

§ The Mid-Level (ML) _>____ or ^>____

The ML is often used in non-final intonation groups expressing non-finality without any expression of expectancy.

e.g. What did Tom say? _>Naturally, he was delighted.

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