THE INTONATION STRUCTURE OF ENGLISH: A LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS
Abstract
Abstract
Intonation, the variation in pitch across speech, is a fundamental component of
English phonology that conveys meaning, emotion, and discourse structure. This
article examines the intonation structure of English, focusing on its components,
functions, and variations across dialects. Using a linguistic framework, we analyze the
role of pitch contours, stress patterns, and intonation units in shaping communication.
Comparative examples from British, American, and Australian English highlight
dialectal differences. The findings emphasize the importance of intonation in effective
communication and suggest implications for language teaching and cross-cultural
interactions. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of English prosody and
its role in linguistic competence.
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