American Intonation

In accent reduction, or when learning or training in a new accent, intonation refers to the rising and falling in musical pitch of the voice.   So if you've noticed, Americans speak with a rising pitch at the end of certain kinds of questions, and a falling, walking-down-the-steps intonation when we make a declarative statement.

This video explains the simple basics of American-style vocal intonation when speaking.   This is very, very important to Americans because intonation helps Americans understand what is really being said apart from simple content.

This is different from, for instance, the Chinese system of vocal intonation/pitch, in which pitch changes in a word change the *definition*, the *content* of the word.   In America, pitch changes change what is *indicated*--what is said indirectly or "said without saying".

Its also different, for instance, from the Indian/Hindi/subcontinent way of speaking--and in fact one of the greatest difficulties Americans have understanding subcontinent speakers is incorrect stresses and a completely unrecognizable (to Americans) pattern of intonation.   When I have an Indian student--whether he or she is a Malayalam speaker, a Kannada speaker, a Tamil speaker,  Gujarathi speaker or Telugu--whatever subcontinent language the person speaks natively--the very first thing I work on with them for a month or two is American style intonation because that makes the biggest change.

Anyhow.  Here is a video explaining in simple terms some parts of American intonation.

All right?  All right.  I hope you like that video, and remember, if you'd like to talk to me about lessons, about taking ESL or accent reduction lessons, if you'd like some training in making American style "small talk"--which is the seemingly unimportant (actually very important) social talk Americans make throughout the day--or American culture or corporate culture, you can give me a call at (732) 807-5424 or hit me up on Skype at david.berlin.esl is my Skype ID OR check out my David Berlin's ESL and Accent Reduction Training website or my American Idiom of the Day Twitter Feed or my David Berlin ESL YouTube channel with plenty of instructional videos and tips and tricks to improve your American accent.

Slots are opening up for the fall!

Okay? Okay.   hit me up! Would love to hear from you!