语调

语调（Intonation）

语调指言语的旋律（melody of language），即说话时声音音高的起伏变化（pitch fluctuation）所造成的旋律模式（speech melody patterns）。言语没有得体的语调如同音乐

没有优美的旋律。世界上的任何一种语言都不是用单一不变的声调说话，而是在言语中都有其特殊的声调或语调变化。语调模式的变化取决于讲话者要表达的态度、情感、语气等。一句话的意义除词汇意义(lexical meaning)外还有语调意义(intonation meaning).。所谓词汇意义是指句中每个词在词典中的意义；而语调意义则是指说话人用语调表达的态度、情感、语气等。词汇意义加上语调意义才能构成一句话的完整意义。语调意义在话语意义中起着至关重要的作用，正如汉语俗语所说，“听话听音”，同一句话的“音”，即所用语调不同，表达的意义会完全不同。因而，要学好一种语言，正确掌握其语调模式是非常重要的。

声音音高的起伏变化造成的旋律模式可以与句子结构结合而成语调（intonation），也可以与词结构结合而成声调（tone）。据此，世界上的语言可分为语调语言（intonation language）和声调语言（tone language）。

第一节英汉语调对比

英语与汉语的旋律模式差别很大。如上所述，声音音高的起伏变化造成的旋律模式与词结构结合而成声调。在声调语言中，音高的起伏改变，字义就随之改变。汉语即属声调语言。在汉语中，每个字的拼音由声母（辅音）、韵母（元音）再加上声调组成，其中声调起着区别或改变字义的作用。声母韵母完全相同而声调不同的字，其意义也会完全不同，如：ma 这个音加上四个不同的声调就构成四个不同的字：妈（ma）嘛（ma?）马（ma）骂（ma?）。而声音音高的起伏变化造成的旋律模式与句子结构结合而成语调。在语调语言中，声调起伏分布在语句上，而不是每个音节固有的组成部分，它只能表示说话人的语气、态度、情感等，而不能改变句中各个词原来的词汇意义（lexical meaning）。英语即属语调语言，每个单词或每个音节本身没有固有的声调，其声调起伏是靠在句子结构中要表达的讲话人的语气、态度、情感等来决定的。

汉语虽是声调语言，但也有句子语调，只不过句调要受字调限制。无论怎样改变，一个字原来的基本调型是不能改变的，所以汉语的语调不像英语那样自由地大幅度地起伏变

化。而英语没有单词或音节的固有声调，只有语调，所以语调变化更自由，幅度更大。英汉语调之间的这种差异给汉语本族语者学习英语和英语本族语者学习汉语造成了很大困难。中国学生受汉语发音习惯的影响，说起英语来往往升降起伏幅度不够，语调平平；而英语本族语者说起汉语来也往往顾不上字调，只是把英语的语调套在汉语的句子上。如：我喜欢唱ˊ歌，她喜欢跳ˋ舞。（I like singˊing, he likes ˋdancing.）“歌”听起来像“格”，“舞”听起来像“物”。

第二节英语语调单位（语调群）（Intonation Unit /Group）

语调单位或语调群是语调的基本单位。一个语调单位或语调群由一个或一个以上的重读音节加上不等数量的非重读音节构成，可分为两大部分：声调(Tonic)和前声调(Pretonic)。声调部分包括语调核心（Nucleus）和调尾（Tail），即语调核心及尾随其后的所有重读和非重读音节。通常情况下，语调核心是语调单位中最后一个重读音节。这个重读音节发音特别响亮，并有音调的起伏变化，或升或降。英语语调的变化主要通过语调核心体现出来, 它接受语调，表达意义或情感，是语调单位中最重要的部分；前声调部分包括语调核心前的一系列重读和非重读音节，其中第一个重读音节是调头（Head），调头前面的非重读音节是前调头（Prehead），调头和语调核心之间的所有重读和非重读音节是调体（Body）。如：I ? think we should ?finish it to?mor row.

Prehead Head Body

Nucleus Tail

I am ?wri ting a ?let ter for you.

Prehead Head Body Nucleus

Tail

语调核心在信息的传达中起着举足轻重的作用，随着说话人所强调的意义的不同，它可以出现在语调单位的任何一个词或短语中，用来吸引听者的注意力，清楚阐明句子的含义，或对信息加以对比。如上面第二句，根据传达信息的不同，语调核心可以落在不同

的词上：I am writing a letter for you. 强调谁在给“你”（you）写信，所以语调核心落在“我”（I）上

I am wri ting a letter for you. 强调“我”在给“你”“写”（writing），而不

是“打”(typing)或“寄”(posting)信, 所以语调核心落

在wri ting上。

I am writing a let ter for you. 强调“我”在给“你”写一封信(a let ter)，而不

是“一个便条”（a note）、“一条信息”（a message），

或其他什么，所以语调核心落在let ter上。

I am writing a letter for you. 强调“我”在给“你”写一封信，而不是给别

人，所以语调核心落在you上。

第三节英语语调基本类型

英语语调的主要作用是，一：清楚表达语法结构；二：表达说话人的态度或隐含意思。语调意义和用法变化多端，但在实际交往过程中，最重要也是最常用的三个基本调型是降调(falling intonation)、升调(rising intonation)和降升调(falling-rising intonation)。要想得体地进行交际，必须首先掌握这三个调型的基本意义和用法。

三个调型的基本意义

降调(falling intonation) ：表示讲话人对所讲内容肯定无疑，所表达的意思完整，语法结构独立。

升调(rising intonation) ：表示讲话人对所讲内容不很肯定，所表达的意思不很完整，语法结构通常不独立。

降升调(falling-rising intonation) ：是降调和升调的结合，通常情况下指句子最后一个重读音节先降后升，表示讲话人对所讲内容比较肯定，但忽然又改变主意，保留了一部分意思，所以往往包含言下之意，要听者去思考。

三个调型的基本用法：如果一个词、短语或短句中只包含一个语调群，那么读时就只需要一种调型，这就是单语调（simple intonation）; 而如果一个较长的句子中包含一个以上的语调群，那么读时就需要一种或一种以上的调型，这就是组合语调（combined intonation）。所谓组合语调就是三种调型的组合使用。三个调型的基本用法指它们在单语调中的用法。组合语调的形式要根据句子类型而定。

单语调（simple intonation）：

降调的基本用法：

1.客观陈述事实的陈述句(Objective Statements)：说话人对所说内容肯定无疑

It is raining now.

I want to have a drink.

This road is very crowded everyday.

2.特殊疑问句(Special Questions)

What’s the time now?

When will he leave?

Where shall we have the meeting?

3.感叹句(Exclamations)

How silly you are !

What a lovely day today!

Oh, look! How beautiful she is!

4.表示强命令的祈使句句（Imperative Sentences with Strong Commands）

Behave yourself!

Don’t laugh!

Stop talking!

5.有言外之意的一般疑问句(General Questions with Implied Meanings)

Can we start the meeting now? (The speaker is impatient for having waited for a long

time)

Can you understand me now? (The speaker is impatient for the listener’s inability to

understand him)

6. 反问句(Rhetorical Question)(对所陈述事实进行强调)

Isn’t he a good student? (He surely is a good student.)

Didn’t he help you ? (He surely helped you. )

升调的基本用法

1.一般疑问句(General Questions)（说话人提出疑问，等待回答）

Do you know the meaning of this word?

Have you finished your job?

Are you satisfied with your life here?

Can you give me a hand?

2.表示请求、关心、道歉、鼓励、警告的祈使句（Imperative Sentences showing Requests,

Concern, Apology and Warning ）

Give me a hand.

Pass it to me.

Just a minute.

Mind your step..

Never mind.

Don’t worry.

I’m so sorry.

Sorry to have kept you waiting.

I beg your parden.

See if you can work hard.

Let’s try again.

Have a try.

It’s no use sending for the doctor.

Don’t be lazy.

Don’t bother.

3.有言外之意的陈述句(Statements with Implied Meanings)（表示对所陈述事实的不

肯定）

It won’t take long.

I don’t think it mattered.

Nobody could have done better.

That wasn’t what he wanted.

It won’t cause trouble.

He couldn’t have left.

You must have heard of it.

He is a good man.

It won’t rain tomorrow.

We are on the wrong way.

4.带有问号的陈述句(Statements with a Question Mark)（听者想确认对方所讲内容）

You don’t underatand me?

They won’t go with you?

You don’t like it?

He isn’t satisfied with me?

You don’t want to see her?

5.请对方重述的特殊疑问句（Special Questions with the Hope of the Other Speaker’s

Repeat of His Remarks）

----I live in downtown.

----Where do you live? (I didn’t hear clearly,please repeat it.)

----It’s 12 o’clock.

----What’s the time? (I didn’t hear clearly,please repeat it.)

6.离别问候语（Greetings on Parting））

Good bye.

Good morning.

Good night.

So long.

See you again..

降升调的基本用法

1.表示对比（Comparison）：第一个对比词用降升调，第二个对比词用降调。

------How do you like the dress?

------I like the ?color, but I don’t like the ˋstyle.

------D o you like this one or that one?

------I like this ?one, but I don’t like that ˋone.

2.表示反驳（Refutation）

------Maybe we can’t finish the job today.

------Yes, we ?can.

------Nobody believes me.

------?I do.

3.表示纠正（Correction）

------Bob will leave tomorrow.

------?Today.

------There will not be meeting today.

------There ?is.

4.表示鼓励（Encouragement）

ˋYou are working ˊhard.

ˋYou did very ˊwell.

5.表示赞赏（Praise）

ˋWell ˊdone.

ˋGood ˊwork.

6.表示告诫（Warning）

ˋBe ˊcareful.

Wear your coat, otherwise you’ll ˋcatch ?cold.

7.表示告别和祝愿（Farewell and Wish）

ˋGood jourˊney.

ˋSee you ˊlater.

8.表示责备（Reproach）

You ˋshould have come earˊlier.

You are ?late.

9.表示确证对方谈话内容（Confirmation of the Other Speaker’s Remarks）

-----I will go with you.

-----You are ˋwilling to go with me you ˊmean?

-----What do you mean?

-----You ˋcan’t understand ˊme?

组合语调（Combined Intonation）：

简单句

降---降调

1.句子由用逗号、分号或并列连词but 、and 、or构成的两个并列成分组成，两个

部分都用降调。

I’m doing this for your sake, not for my own.

She speaks English fairly well, but by no means perfect.

We can hold the meeting in the office or in the meeting room.

We must meet troubles boldly and not let them frighten us.

2.句中包含非限制性同位语，先行词和同位语都用降调.

I’ve just met Miss Wang, our new English teacher.

This is Mr.Brown, one of my best friends.

He is Pro.Smith, my favorite teacher.

We love our great socialist motherland, the Peopl e’s Republic of China.

3.反意疑问句中，说话人对自己所讲之事把握较大，疑问成分较少，两部分都用降调。

It’s a fine day, isn’t it?

You don’t believe me, do you?

It looks like rain, doesn’t it?

You can’t do two things, can you?

升—降调

1.句中包含由不定式短语、分词短语、介词短语、形容词短语、名词短语以及状语从

句的简缩形式等构成的句首状语，状语部分用升调，后面的句子主体用降调。

To tell you the truth, I don’t like it at all.

Being so tired, he sat on the sofa to have a rest.

In spite of the difficulties, he completed the task on time.

Heavy with rain, the great clouds rolled across the sky.

Though no swimmer, she splashed about happily in the swimming-pool.

2.句子主体在前，由分词短语、介词短语、状语从句的简缩形式构成的状语在句尾，

句子主体用升调，句尾状语用降调。

He is always at his best when fighting against difficulties.

They went into the room talking and laughing.

He lives happily.

He lives happily in the countryside.

3.在not only…but also 句型中，前面部分用升调，后面部分用降调。

They are not only willing but also anxious to help.

I can not only do it but also do it well.

You should not only offer her some money but also comfort her to live happily.

4.句中有列举时，前面的列举项都用升调，最后一项用降调。

The year has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.

That was done without my help, without my knowledge and without my consent.

I see with my eyes, hear with my ears and smell with my nose.

You may do whatever you like, go wherever you choose and with whoever you please.

5.表示命令语气的祈使句否定式后带一附加成分（通常为will you），祈使句部分用

升调，附加成分will you用降调，升调表示对对方行为的不耐烦或不满情绪，降调表示对对方的严厉警告。

Don’t be late, will you?

Don’t waste the time, will you？

Don’t make a noise, will you?

Don’t disturb me, will you?

降---升调

1.反意疑问句中，说话人对自己所讲之事把握不大，有些疑问，需进一步证实，前面

陈述部分用降调，后面疑问部分用升调。

You want to become an entrepreneur, don’t you?

Ther is a forein student in this class, is there?

He ought to have come, oughtn’t he?

Let’s go and skate, shan’t we?

Try and do better, won’t you?

2.陈述句后加一个附加语，陈述句用降调，附加语用升调，表示说话人对自己所陈述

之事不太肯定，有些疑虑或保留意见。

I’ll ask him myself, if necessary.

He was right, nevertheless.

You are wrong, actually.

They know nothing about it, till now.

Your composition is quite well, on the whole.

3.表示命令语气的祈使句肯定式后带一附加成分（通常为will you），祈使句部分用

降调，附加成分will you用升调，降调表示命令语气，升调表示命令语气的缓和，以示对对方客气或友好，或向对方提出请求。

Pass me the book, will you?

Fetch me my coat, will you?

Do me a favor, will you?

Turn off the TV, will you?

Be as quick as you can, will you?

并列句

降---降调：

用逗号、分号或并列连词but 、and 、or（否则）、yet构成的并列句，并列的两部分都用降调。

I will go to see you you some day this week or next week; I’m not quite sure now.

I caught a cold yesterday, and I feel very tired now.

I was a little nervous, but his kind look put me at ease and I sat down for the interview.

You must hurry, or you will be late.

It has been spring, yet the weather is still very cold.

升---降调：

选择疑问句，前面的选择项用升调，最后一个用降调。

Will you go abroad this month or next month?

Will do it yourself or shall I help you?

Do you understand it now or need I explain it to you again?

Shall I write him a letter or will you go and see him yourself?

复合句

升---降调：

1.带有状语从句的复合句，无论主句在前还是从句在前，在前面的部分用升调，表

示句子未完，后面的部分用降调。

When I finish my work, I will go to see you.

He was reading when I called on him.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

You can go wherever you want.

If it’s worth doing at all, it’s worth doing well..

The earth will melt some day if the weather continues to be so hot.

As he went out, he slammed the door.

Think before you leap.

I will not agree unless you implore me.

Unless you come on time, we will leave without you.

2.带有同位语从句的复合句，从句的先行词用升调；若从句在主句前，从句末尾也

用升调，主句末尾用降调；若主句在从句前，只需在从句的先行词后用升调，在从句末尾用降调。

The idea that he should do the work is quite right.

He has told the truth that he killed his father.

3.带有定语从句的复合句，从句的先行词用升调；若从句在主句前，从句末尾也用

升调，主句末尾用降调；若主句在从句前，只需在从句的先行词后用升调，在从句末尾用降调。

This is Mr.Li, who will go together with you.

The Olympic Games, which was held by China in 2008, is a world-wide game.

Never say anything behind a person’s back that you wouldn’t say to his face.

4. 带有宾语从句的复合句，主句动词末尾用升调，从句末尾用降调。

Don’t think you are something out of the ordinary.

Never leave to others what you should do yourself.

He said that he wouldn’t like to come.

6.带有主语从句的复合句，从句末尾用升调，主句末尾用降调。

What you say is quite right.

Whatever you do is satisfactory to me.

Whether or not you agree to it is very important.

7.带有主语从句的复合句，用It作形式主语，主句末尾用升调，从句末尾用降调。

It’s unbelievable that he finished the work in one day.

It is clear that you’re wrong on this problem.

It’s wonderful that our team won the game.

8.带有表语从句的的复合句，主句表语动词后用升调，从句末尾用降调。

The truth is you didn’t give him a hand when he was in difficulty.

The problem is whether you like him or not.

My opinion is that you persist with your experiment.

降---升调

1.If引导的条件状语从句放在主句之后，前面的主句用降调，表示陈述事实；后面的

从句用升调，表示说话人对所述条件实现的可能性的怀疑或认为实现的可能性很小。

I’ll come, if you want me to.

We can walk there, if there is time.

I’d buy a new one, if I could afford it.

I’d like to go, if you invite me.

2.Since引导的条件状语从句放在主句之后，前面的主句用降调，表示陈述事实；后

面的从句用升调，表示说话人对条件所述事实的无奈与失望。

We must put up with it,since it can’t be helped.

We must do as he says, since there is no other way.

We have no other choice, since it has been decided.

You can give up, since you don’t want it.

3.When, before, after 等引导的时间状语从句放在主句之后，前面的主句用降调，表

示陈述事实或命令语气；后面的从句用升调，表示说话人对主句所陈述事实的无奈与失望，或对主句命令语气的缓和以示对听者的友好。

He was out when I came.

You’ll be dead tired before the day’s out

She was very angry after you left.

You must finish it before you go.

Don’t leave before I came back.

Lock the door when you go out.

Tell me at once after you have decided.

降---降调

带有与主句联系不密切，不起限制作用的非限制性定语从句或放在主句之后的状语从句的复合句，主句和从句部分都用降调。

I’ll deal with it tomorrow, when I have more time.

I’ll go to see you next Sunday, when I’m free.

He didn’t pay enough attention to pronunciation, which caused him a lot of trouble.

He described the appearance of the thief to the policeman, who wrote it down in a

notebook.

“呼语”(Vocatives)的语调

1.在句首，重读，用升调，以激发被呼者的情绪或号召被呼者采取某一行动，后面的句

子部分用降调。

Boys and girls, come on.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my great honour to speak to you here.

Tom, would you please give me a hand?

Comrades, step up, look forward, keep going.

2.在句中，用非重读降调，即平调。“呼语”前面若为表示语气的插入语，插入语用升

调；若为表示命令语气的祈使语，祈使语用降调。句子末尾用降调。

Well, Mr. Li, have you come to any decision?

After all, Xiao Li, you have got what you deserved.

Come, John, give me a hand.

Mind you, Mary, don’t be late again.

3.在句尾，用非重读降调，即平调，表示一般陈述语气；或用升调，表示与被呼者之间

关系更加亲近或友好。

Glad to see you, Tom.

Glad to see you, Tom.

Don’t be so careless, my dear.

Don’t be so careless, my dear.

You’ve done quite well, my friend.

You’ve done quite well, my friend.

“插入语”（Parentheses）的语调

1.在句首，重读，用升调，表示句子未完，后面的句子末尾用降调。

To tell you the↗truth, I don’t like that at all.

Strangely ↗enough, he even can’t drive a bike.

Frankly ↗speaking, there are many mistakes in his article.

Of ↗course, I will accept it.

By the ↗way, where have you been just now?

2.在句中，用非重读降调，即平调，表示一般陈述语气；或用升调，以强调句中插入语

后面的部分。

You should, I think, go to help him on that occasion.

You should, I think, go to help him on that occasion.

You are, of course, too old to do that kind of work.

You are, of course, too old to do that kind of work.

Such a thing, generally speaking, would not take place in that district.

Such a thing, generally speaking, would not take place in that district.

He was, so to speak, sitting on a volcano.

He was, so to speak, sitting on a volcano.

3.在句尾，多用升调，并重读，表示对句子前面部分所陈述事实的不肯定；或者有时也

可用非重读降调，即平调，表示对句子前面部分所陈述事实的再强调。句子前面的陈述句部分用降调。

He may not come, I’m afraid.

He may not come, I’m afraid.

You must be very tired, I think.

You must be very tired, I think.

He is able to complete the task on time, to be sure.

He is able to complete the task on time, to be sure.

That’s book you are looking for, I suppose.

That’s book you are looking for, I suppose.

“引出直接引语的成分”的语调

1.在句首，重读，多用升调，以引出下面的句子。

He said:“Do you know what I’m here for?”

She smiled and said: “I’m going out a little.”

Marie said:“Have a drink.”

Jansen found many words ready on his tongue,disliked them, and blurted:“ Marie, I wish you’d let me send you back home tonight.”

She began repeating, over and over again:“My sister’s a typist; she’s got a job in an

office.”

2.在句中，非重读，多用平调，表示句中停顿。

“ My sister won’t let you,” she cried out. “ She’ll stop you.”

“You shouldn’t say such things,”said Marie, beginning to to cry. “ You should never say someone is a bad girl.”

“My child!”said her mother,“the hat is yours. It’s made for you.”

“My dear,”said Mrs. Sheridan,holding up her hand,“we did. It nearly ruined the party. Laura insisted we should put it off.”

3.在句尾，非重读，用平调，表示句子结束。

“But mother, do you really think it’s a good idea?” said Laura.

“Mother, isn’t it really terribly heartless of us?”she asked.

“You might stop it,”added the uncle.

“But when are you sure? smiled uncle Oscar.