This chapter provides an introduction to English intonation.Articulatorily, pitch is associated with the vibration frequency of the vocal folds that is measured instrumentally and known as the fundamental frequency or FO. The pitch of voice and the different notes of voice that combine are mandatory to make tones.Mastering intonation, which is by default mastering English stress and rhythm, is more important for sounding more native-like than mastering the pronunciation of
segmentals or vowels and consonants.If you focus on developing intonational and rhythmic habits, the degree of your accent intelligibility and acceptance will be significantly higher.Tones are instrumental for communicating our messages and intentions and making our speech more expressive and more energetic.Intonation is the punctuation of our speech as it helps listeners to navigate where we stop, where we ask for information, etc.Intonation helps words to communicate massages and emotions such as anger, disgust, fear, sadness, happiness, etc.Pitch also indicates several things such as social class, geographical origin, personality type and overall experience in life.It also handles the main functions of intonation.Generally speaking, intonation is related to rhythm.You can feel that so powerfully if you replace speaking by humming.Pitch is the main carrier of intonation.The rise and fall of our voice indicates to the listener the meaning we intend.It means the rise and fall of voice or the melody of speech.When we speak, our voice goes up and down which is perceptually recognized as high and low pitch.In some languages, especially tone languages, the meaning of a word changes according to the tone used.An angry voice usually has a high pitch while a polite voice is usually low in pitch.