Make up a dialogue of your own with words and word combinations from the dialogue above. Use logical and emphatic stress in it.

Wide and Narrow Range of Pitch

SECTION FOUR

 

The meaning of the whole sentence can be emphasized either by widening or narrowing the range of pitch. If the range is wid­ened the pitch level is raised. The stressed and unstressed sylla­bles are said on a higher pitch level. The pitch intervals between the stressed syllables are greater than in an unemphatic sentence. The nuclear tone has a wider range. The stress is increased.

If the range is narrowed the pitch level is lowered. The stressed and unstressed syllables are pronounced on a lower pitch. The pitch intervals between the stressed syllables are smaller than in an unemphatic sentence. The nuclear tone has a narrower range. The words are pronounced almost in a whisper.

The effect produced by widening and narrowing the range is the same as it would be in Russian.

By widening the range the speaker can express different violent emotions such as anger, horror, fear, abhorrence, irritation, impa­tience, joy, joyful surprise and others.

By narrowing the range the speaker can express sadness, hope­lessness, admiration, aversion, regret, reproach, sympathy, hatred, fear and other emotions.

EXERCISES

1. Listen carefully to the following conversational situations. Concentrate your attention on the sentences in which the widening of the pitch range is heard. Why does the speaker widen the range of his voice? Try to define atti­tudes and emotions associated with it.

Lady Bracknell: Mister Worthing! Rise, sir, from this semi- recumbent posture. It is most indecorous.

Gwendolen: Mamma! I must beg you to retire. This is no place for you. Besides Mr. Worthing has not quite finished yet.

Lady Bracknell: Finished what may I ask? (O.Wilde)

Lady Bracknell: Where did the charitable gentleman who had a first-class ticket for this sea-side resort find you? J a c k: In a hand-bag.

Lady Bracknell: A hand-bag? (O.Wilde)

Lady Bracknell: In what locality did this Mr. James, or Thomas Cardew come across this ordinary hand-bag? J a c k: In the cloak-room at Victoria Station. Lady Bracknell: The cloak-room at Victoria Station? Jack: Yes. The Brighton line.

Lady Bracknell: The line is immaterial. (O.Wilde)

Jack: May I ask you then what you would advise me to do? I need hardly say I would do anything in the world to ensure Gwen­dolen's happiness. (O.Wilde)

Harry: Nora! Nora! ("Meet the Parkers")

Nora: Anyhow, I'd have enjoyed the film much more if Elsa Hollywood had been in it, instead of Linda Spangle.

Harry: And I'd have enjoyed it more if we hadn't gone at all. Nora: And I'd have enjoyed it more if you hadn't been so rude to that woman in front.

Harry: Well I shouldn't have been rude to her if she had stopped chattering when I asked her. ("Meet the Parkers")

H a r r y: I behave better! I like that! Why, if that woman had But look, isn't that a No. 12 bus just going? ("Meet the Parkers")

Harry: Don't be too quick about spreading that table-cloth, Nora. I felt a spot of rain.

Nora: Oh dear, what did I tell you! It's coming on to pour.

Robert: We'd better run for it.

Nora: Where to? There's no shelter in sight.

Robert: What about that pub we came past?

Nora: It's much too far away! ("Meet the Parkers")

2. Listen to the situations again and repeat the sentences pronounced with the widening of the pitch range in the intervals, trying to concentrate on the emotional attitude of the speaker. Widen the range of your voice, say the stressed and unstressed syllables on a higher pitch level than you would nor­mally do it, make the stresses stronger, pronounce the nuclear tone with a wider range.

3. Listen to a fellow-student reading the sentences with the widened range of pitch. Follow his performance concentrating your attention on his emotional at­titude. Tell him what his errors are.