The system of scales.

The scale is a phonetic unit that begins with the head-group and extends to the terminal tone.

Scales can be classified as follows:`

1. According to the arrangement of unstressed syllables within stress-tone groups they can be:

1. Stepping

2. Sliding

3. Scandent.

E.g.

1. Our `classes be`gin at three o’clock.

(stepping scale)

2.Our `classes be/gin at three o’\clock.

(sliding scale).

3.Our /classes be/gin at/three o’\clock.

(scandent scale).

2. According to the direction of the pitch movement the scales can be classified as: 1) descending 2) ascending 3) level.

1. The descending scale (stepping, sliding, scandant).

He `promised to `be in \time.

(stepping.)

He \promised to \be in `time.

(sliding.)

He promised to be in \time.

(scandent.)

2. The ascending scale (stepping, sliding, scandant)

He promised to be in `time.

(stepping.)

He /promised to be in ` time

(sliding.)

He /promised to /be in `time.

(scandent.)

3. The level scales (low, mid, high)

He promised to come in time

(low)

He `promised to `come in time

(mid)

He `promised to `come in time

(high)

3. According to the regularity of their pitch movements scales can be:

1. Regular;

2. Broken.

He promised to come in half an hour.

He promised to come in half an hour.

The scandent scale.

In the scandent scale every stress-tone unit is said on an ascending sequence, the accented syllables taking level pitches.

e.g. It’s really very funny. (M.P.) 29)

Note: in monosyllabic stress-tone units the pitch rises during the syllable.

e.g. I hate doing nothing.

The scale is used in colloquial speech. It sounds lively, playful, encouraging. Yet it may also convey surprise, irritation and even irony (together with the intensified stress and widened temporal range).

The scandant scale communicative type of utterance, giving it an emotional colouring. It can be combined with any terminal tone except for the fall-rise, but the preference is given to the falling tones. The high level or high ascending preheads ofthen precede it.

E.g./ there’s no need to close your temper. (M.P.11).

(encouraging).

E.g. where ever had it come from (W.P. 29).

(surprise).

According to its direction the scandent scale can be descending, ascending and level.

E.g. I think it’s going to rain.

(playful)

I think it’s going to rain. (M.P. 6).

(surprise).

According to its regularity the scandent scale can be also of two types: Regular and Broken.

E.g. But there’s really so little opportunity.

But there’s really so little opportunity.

The level scale.

The level scale according to its pitch can be of three types: the low level, the high level and the mid level.

According to the arrangement of unstressed syllables within every stress-tone unit the level scale can also be sliding and scandent.

1. In the low level scale all the stress-tone units are said on a low pitch level, the unstressed syllable taking the same pitch. The low level scale can be combined with any simple terminal tone, but the preference is given to the low fall, the low rise, the low level tone. It can be used on any communicative type of utterance. This scale is characteristic of colloquial speech.

1. The low level scale combined with the low fall sounds uninterested, phlegmatic or sometimes cool and reserved (supported by the intensified stress and slowed tempo).

e.g.

He promised to come in time. (phlegmatic).

Did he promised to come in time? (reserved)

When did he promise to come? (cool).

2. The low level scale followed by the low rise sounds disapproving or skeptical.

e.g. I can’t give permission for that. (disapproving).

Can you give permission for that? (skeptical).

Who can give permission for that? (disapproving).

Very nice permission! (skeptical).

3. The low level scale followed by the low level tone sounds solemn, pathetic (when it is supported by the increase of stress and a slowed tempo). It is used in recitation.

e.g.

Oh! Lovely pussy…oh! Pussy, my love…

but I with mournful tired…(Oh, Captain, My Captain. By walt Whitman).

2. In the high level scale all the stress-tone units are said on a high pitch level, the unstressed syllables taking the same pitch. The high level scale can be combined with any simple terminal tone but the high fall is most frequent. This intonation patterns is characteristic of emotional speech. It can be used on any communicative types of utterance. It sounds decisive, joyful or even irritable (combined with the intensified stress & slowed tempo).

1. Ann’s getting better. (joyful).

2. I’ll have to make it myself. (decisive).

3. I shan’t stay a minute longer. (decisive)