Bernard Shaw once said a wonderful thing: “There are 50 ways to say yes, as many options to say no.” But there is only one way to record it. ” This is about intonation. After all, with its help you can not only express an idea, but also convey your attitude to what was said. What is intonation? Why is it so necessary?
Definition
Intonation is a change in the strength, pace, and tone of speech. In other words, this is a variation in the sound of the voice. The main types of intonation are: narrative, exclamation, and interrogative. The first option is characterized by an even and calm pronunciation, but the last syllable is pronounced slightly lower than the others. For example, the phrase "You took a ticket to Hawaii" simply states the fact.
The bright emotional color and the highlighting of the most important word in a tone higher is related to the exclamation view of the phonetic organization of speech ("You took a ticket to Hawaii!"). In sentences of the latter type, an interrogative word is highlighted with increased intonation. This is done regardless of whether it stands at the beginning or at the end of the phrase ("Have you got a ticket to Hawaii?").
Why change intonation?
The human voice is a wonderful tool. If you use it correctly, then with its help you can revive the performance, touch the audience, even cause a tear. And most importantly - to induce action. In everyday speech, this usually does not arise. But as far as public speaking is concerned , certain difficulties may arise here.
Speech, even very informative, but without any changes in intonation, is similar to the work of a typewriter, which minted letters at the same pace. Ideally, the sound of the voice resembles a melodic playing on a musical instrument. Some speakers, because of excitement or trying to read an already written text, forget about what intonation is. Therefore, their speech sounds really monotonous. Such appearances lull. In addition, if the speaker does not change the strength, pitch or pace of the voice, then one cannot understand his personal attitude to his own words.
How to do it?
But this cannot be achieved with the help of some technical techniques. For example, to mark in the abstract of speech where it is necessary to add strength of voice, and where to increase the pace. Such a report will perplex the audience. Experienced speakers say that the secret to their success is that they try to imbue themselves with thoughts that they want to convey to the audience. And then the intonation of speech does not sound artificially, but sincerely.
Voice strength change
This technique does not boil down to a simple periodic increase or decrease in volume, which occurs with a boring monotony. First of all, this would distort the meaning of what was said. On the other hand, too frequent and unjustified amplification of the voice would cut the rumor. It would look as if from time to time someone increases the volume of the radio, then decreases it.
The strength of the voice is mainly determined by the material itself. For example, if an urgent request, order, condemnation, or deep conviction is needed, then increasing the volume of speech would be very appropriate. Also in this way it is possible to highlight the main points of the statement. Minor thoughts must be expressed by weakening the volume and accelerating the pace of speech. A tense and muffled voice conveys excitement and anxiety. But if you always speak too quietly, the audience may perceive this as uncertainty or indifference to their own words. Sometimes by unjustified use of the intensity of the sound of speech, you may not reach the ultimate goal of the utterance. This happens in those cases when the words need not just strength, but cordiality.
What is intonation: a change in pace
In everyday conversation, words flow easily and spontaneously. If a person is excited by something, he speaks quickly. When he wants the audience to remember his words well, he slows down. But in public speaking, doing this is not always easy. Especially if the speaker has memorized the text. In this case, its intonation is cold. He is focused only on not forgetting something. Accordingly, the pace of his speech is likely to be the same throughout the entire speech.
In order not to make such mistakes, you need to learn the basic techniques of a competent conversation technique. Speech should be accelerated on non-essential details or insignificant details. But the main thoughts, significant arguments or climax should be voiced slowly, clearly, with the arrangement. Another important point: you should never chatter so fast that diction suffers from this.
What is intonation: pitch
Without a change in tonality (modulation), speech would be devoid of harmony and emotionality. Joyful excitement and zeal can be conveyed by raising the tone, anxiety and sadness - by lowering. Emotions help the speaker reach the hearts of his listeners. This means that it is faster to induce them to certain actions.
True, there are tonal languages (for example, Chinese) in which a change in pitch affects the meaning of the word itself. Therefore, there is a different concept of what intonation is. The Russian language does not apply to such. But in it, with the help of modulation, different thoughts can be expressed. For example, in order to turn a narrative sentence into an interrogative one, its final part is pronounced with ascending intonation. As a result, we perceive the said phrase differently.
Intonation for any statement, whether it is everyday conversation or public speaking, is like spices for a dish. Without them, it is tasteless. True, you need to use it wisely so as not to overdo it. In this case, the speech will look pretended and insincere.