Un 5.2
Pronunciation – Sentence Intonation
Intonation, the use of variations in pitch in spoken language, plays an important role in communication. These variations can be the only difference between a question, a command, a statement, or an ironic comment. Intonation is also an important part in the ‘flow’ of spoken language. Here, we will look at how the intonation patterns in French are slightly different from those in English.
Intonation and rhythmic groups – L’intonation et les groupes rhythmiques
In spoken English, intonation and stress are interrelated. Where word stress occurs, changes in pitch, or intonation, also occur.
e.g.
| We’re looking ↗ for the movie ↗ theatre. ↘︎ |
(jumps in intonation on the stressed syllables of the words most important to the meaning of the sentence) |
In French sentences, intonation occurs at the final syllable of every rhythmic group, as does sentence stress. Generally, rising intonation occurs on most, if not all, the rhythmic groups in a given sentence, with the frequent exception of the sentence’s final rhythmic group. Nearly all sentences start with mid-high intonation, which gradually falls as more air from the lungs is expelled, until the final syllable(s) of the sentence’s rhythmic group(s), where the needed rising or falling intonation is used. Rising intonation is especially important in conversation to show that a statement or sentence is not yet finished, so that the listener doesn’t interrupt.
e.g.
|
Nous cherchons le cinéma.↘︎ |
We’re looking for the movie theatre. (starts with mid-high intonation and steadily falls) |
|
La grande table, ↗ la petite chaise, ↗ les livres ↗ et les élèves ↗ sont dans la salle de classe. ↘︎ |
The big table, little chair, books and students are in the classroom. |
Often, what would be punctuation (periods, commas, etc.) in written French, is communicated through intonation in spoken French. In general, rising intonation correlates with commas, while falling intonation correlates with periods. For questions, the type of intonation depends on the type of question.
e.g.
|
Toi, ↗ tu penses quoi? ↗ |
And what do you think? |
|
Pourquoi ↗ est-ce qu’elles ont sommeil ?↘︎ |
Why are they tired? |
Variations in intonation can also be used communicate commands, irony and feelings.
Exercices
Un 5.2 - Ex. 1
Listen and repeat the following sentences.
1. Mes parents vont à la banque et au restaurant.
2. Les soeurs de Julie vont danser ce soir.
3. Le supermarché se trouve à côté de la librairie.
4. Les étudiants font de l’exercice au gymnase de l’université.
5. Nous aimons marcher dans le parc.
6. Je vais aller chez mon cousin après les cours.
7. Pour regarder un nouveau film, mes amis vont aller au cinema demain.
8. Le musée contemporain se trouve loin de la patinoire.
Un 5.2 - Ex. 2
Read the following sentences aloud and then listen to their pronounciation.
1. Marc et Isabelle ne vont jamais au gymnase.
2. Aujourd’hui, nous célébrons l’anniversaire de mon grand-père, il a 82 ans.
3. Vous allez chercher de l’argent à la banque près de l’université.
4. Ce soir, mes parents vont nettoyer la maison.
5. Tu vas regarder le nouveau film au cinéma vendredi soir.
6. Les étudiants vont passer un examen de français lundi après-midi.
7. Nous allons aller à la librairie, au gymnase et au restaurant universitaire.
8. Le centre commercial et la banque se trouvent près de la piscine.
