About this subjec, I think we should seriously reconsider the whole subject
of the so called "high rinsing tone", in the light of a more realistic
approach to intonation. As a matter of fact, three pitch bands are
necessary in order to actually descrive intonation, and four intonemes (or
pitch movements at the end of utterances, besides four preintonemes used on
the rhythm groups at the beginning of the utterances).
In this way (and especially by listening to good recorded examples) one
would realize that these "high rises" (also found in Australia, New
Zealand, and in the USA, i.e. in California, besides Great Britain, i.e.
the North of England) are actually "low rises" (from low to mid pitch).
Another observation is that they are not part of the "linguistic intonation
system", but are something added to that (paralinguistically, or
"paraphonically as I prefer to call it). As a matter of fact, they are a
pragmatic device used in order not to be interrupted while speaking.
Besised, they also reveal the speaker's attitudes, i.e. as not being too
invasive, but deferential, or friendly. Sometimes, they reveal that the
speaker is hesitant or perplex, as well.
Luciano Canepari
(Phonetics and Phonology)
University of Venice
|