7. Pronunciation: Tone units

Tone Units in English

A tone unit is a chunk of speech. It can be as small as a single word, or as long as a sentence. Two identical sentences may be comprised of differing numbers of tone units when spoken, based on the intent or emotional state of the speaker. It's important to learn to distinguish these units because they give subtle meanings and help organize a conversation.

There is no single determiner as to where these units begin and end or how many a single sentence contains. Some clues are:

  • begin with faster speech, and end with slower speech
  • include a single pitch word
  • end with a pitch boundary

Click here for a sample sentence.

Review the concept of chunking and how to do it by watching the two videos below.

Part One.

Video in Youtube

Part 2.

Video in Youtube

Listen to the way this speaker "chunks" or breaks up the sentences. Would you break them up the same way?

  • Adam waited patiently for the train to arrive.
  • Danny and Zack took the bus home after a long day at school.
  • Even though the nachos were covered in Monterrey cheese, they didn't taste quite like my mother's.
  • Unless Richard finishes his Latin homework, he won't be allowed to go to the performance.
  • While Abby slept on the couch in front of the television, her husband cooked dinner and laid the table.

 

Actividad

As was mentioned in the videos, it is all about practice.

Do you remember what subordinate clauses are? They were longer, more sophisticated sentences.

Write a list of 10 long sentences. Read them out, record yourself. You can use your cell phone!

(You can use an online converter to convert your audio files to mp3, so you can share them.)

Share your sentences with your peers. Did they "chunk" them in the same places you did?

What does your tutor have to say about your "chunking"?