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XII. The use of the main intonation contours in statements

The most typical contour for unemphatic statements is IC 1 which makes the utterance sound complete, definite and categoric, matter-of-fact but interested.

IC la is used to convey a cool, reserved, indifferent, grim or surly attitude on the part of the speaker. The statement sounds complete, definite and cat­egoric, as in the case of IС 1, but may sound unfriendly when addressed to a stranger.

IC 2, when used in statements, makes them sound not categoric, assertive and separative, but soothing and reassuring. It may sometimes give a hint of self-confi­dence and self-reliance, IC 2 is a typical contour for non-final sense-groups very closely connected with the following sense-group.

IC 2a may encourage further conversation or may be guarded, reprovingly critical, resentful, bored.

IC 3 is very common in ordinary colloquial speech, as it conveys personal concern or involvement - it sounds lively, interested and can express vigorous agreement or contradiction very efficiently. IC 3 (with step­ping head) sounds light and warm, while IC 3a (with low head) conveys a feeling of querulous protest.

IC 4 can be used in statements only when they are echoed and thus burned into questions, often ad­dressed by the speaker to himself before he reacts to the interlocutor’s utterance.

IC 5 always carries an implication with it. What exactly is implied is perfectly clear to the speak­er and to the hearer, since it is derived, from the situation, and nо verbal expression of the implication is necessary. Typical attitudes, often conveyed with the help of IC 5, may be described as follows (I. С. E.):

• correcting the interlocutor
• grudgingly admitted
• reluctantly or defensively dissenting
• tentatively suggesting
• concerned
• hurt
• reserved

IC 5a makes the utterance very emphatic. The altitudes expressed may vary according to the verbal context and the situation. The state­ment may sound “apologetic, appreciative, grateful, re­gretful, sympathetic, persuasively reassuring, plaintive or pleading”. (I.C. E.) Very often no particular emotion is conveyed by IC 5a. The main function of this contour is to place a partic­ular emphasis on the semantic centre of the utterance, and mark as important another word out of those that follow it.

IC 6. In this type the initial rise rein­forces the meaning of the high fall, adds to the definiteness and finality of,a falling tone some warmth, admiration, sarcasm, indignation, etc. thus emphasizing, either posi­tive or negative emotion, according to the situation. The speaker is greatly impressed.

XIII. The use of the main intonation contours in questions (general, special, alternative disjunctive, short comments of the type “Is; Isn’t”)