4. "Do you really want to hurt me?" (intonation)

 

Introduction to English intonation

A good exercise to show the variety of meanings through intonation changes is to take a single sentence, try stressing each word in turn, and see the totally different meanings that come out.

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Imagen de Pilar Acero Banco de recursos del ISFTIC C.C.
  1. I didn't say he stole the money.
  2. I didn't say he stole the money.
  3. I didn't say he stole the money.
  4. I didn't say he stole the money.
  5. I didn't say he stole the money.
  6. I didn't say he stole the money.
  7. I didn't say he stole the money.

Now that you have listened to these sentences repeat them aloud yourself.

 

Listen to the song: Do you really want to hurt me?, by Culture Club. It is one of Paco's favourites. Paco likes music a lot and he also learns English through songs.

English is a very rhythmic language because only certain, important words are accented.For this reason, you should practise listening as much as possible.

 

Notice the rising intonation in some questions you are going to hear in this song.

Vídeo de CultureClubVEVO alojado en Youtube

 

Every language has melody in it; no language is spoken on the same musical note as the time. The voice goes up and down and different pitches of the voice combine to make tunes. That is intonation. Watch the following video about intonation:

Video de JenniferESL  alojado en Youtube


 

 

 

Let's see some examples of intonation in context:

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Autor: Pilar Acero. Banco de recursos del IFSTIC C.Commons
Answers
I like pizza, pickles, and chips. Not all together, I hope.
Would you prefer coffee or tea? Tea, please.
Would you like some ice cream and cake? No, thank you. I'm not hungry.
Next week we are flying to Rome. Really? How long will you be there?
Is he going to the dentist? Yes. He has a toothache.<

Read the following sentences and pronounce them yourself.

Comprueba lo aprendido

Pregunta

Does Paco like playing football with his friends?

Respuestas

Rising intonation.

Falling intonation.

Retroalimentación

Pregunta

What are you wearing today?

Respuestas

Rising intonation.

Falling intonation.

Retroalimentación

Finally, in section five, we will learn some vocabulary related to free time (we can also say spare time).