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Glite Dictionary
intonational

intonational

1 7.0
About the rise and fall of high and low sounds in speech and music
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪntəˈneɪʃənl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : entonacional
  • During the pronunciation workshop, we focused on the intonational aspects of English to improve clarity.
  • intonational contour

Examples

  • The teacher explained how the intonational patterns in speech can change the meaning of a sentence.

  • Singing helps students concentrate on the pitch they hear in their minds without being led astray by the intonational characteristics of their instruments or the limitations of their technique.

    Academic text (1999)

  • In addition, the results of this study may expand the practical implications of intonational theories that deal with such issues as intelligibility and comprehension.

    Academic text (2008)

  • In speech, the different attitudes embodied in the repetition of words will be signaled by a different intonational contour.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Listeners often notice the intonational changes that indicate a speaker's emotions or intentions.

Synonyms

prosodic
vsintonational
  • Specialized
8.8

Describes the rhythm and melody of speech, like pitch, stress and pauses

focuses specifically on pitch rise and fall rather than rhythm or stress

Surface Forms

intonational positive

Morphology

intonational = intonation (transparent) = intonation + al

The adjective is formed regularly from 'intonation' with the suffix '-al', and the meaning 'relating to' is straightforward.

Etymology

Intonational comes from intonation, which is made of in- and tone, and tone means 'sound' or 'pitch', how high or low a voice goes. So, something intonational is about the rise and fall of voice or music, the way sound moves to show meaning or feeling.