DVD-4 Connected Speech and Intonation

Main Menu for DVD-4 with links to five Sub-Menus. Below are menus for: Connected Speech Word Endings and Contractions The other three Sub-Menus: Intonation Practice Scenes Rhythm Patterns and Consonant Clusters Linked Phrases List of Operative Words. Operative Words practiced in sentences. Connected Speech Connected Speech is the key to gaining a natural, smooth-flowing style of speech. People do not speak in separate words, they speak in logical connected groups of words. Even native speakers sometimes "stumble over their words" because they are unaware of the "little tricks" for avoiding the pitfalls. Trained actors, of course, are able to deliver lengthy, complex, and even "tongue-twisting" passages flawlessly. This is not a gift. They have simply learned the "rules" for linking one word into another with intention. When you've finished this tape, you'll know the rules, too; and with practice you'll become a fluent, polished speaker. Direct Linking Linking Final Consonants Directly into Vowels Play and Link Linking Final Consonants Fully Played and Linked to Fully Played Non-related Consonants Prepare and Link Prepare for the Final Consonant, and execute Related Consonant that it is linking into. Weak Forms A lot of the very small connecting words in speech are so de-emphasized, or unstressed, that they often take on a Weak Form. Contractions We use these words so much that, we usually contract them together. Word Endings and Contractions Common Word Endings (Suffixes). These are mostly unstressed, and should be treated like weak forms. Dialogues Practicing Word Endings and Contractions These dialogues have a double emphasis. Practicing both Word Endings and Contractions within a context. Contents of Connected Speech Linking and Phrasing Weak Forms Contractions Dialogues Practicing Word Endings and Contractions Intonation & Rhythms Intonation and Rhythm Patterns go a long way in carrying the meaning across in English. You can be speaking with perfect pronunciation, but put the stress on the wrong syllable and your whole statement may go without being understood. Likewise with how and where your pitch and inflections rise and fall, and the tempo-rhythms of your speech. When you've learned to use the American pitch pattern to call attention to the important words in your speech, you become immediately more understandable. You can use these techniques to give your statements a clarity of through-line while you are developing well-focused arguments. Intonation in Sentences Jump Up in Pitch on the important word, Step Down on the words following. Intonation Within Words This pattern exists in many English words: Jump Up on the first syllable, Step Down on the syllables following. Intonation Practice Scenes Now, it's the same pattern, basically, over and over, that Americans are used to hearing. So when you speak it, you become more understandable, more expressive, more interesting, and, of course, more American sounding. The More Pitch you use, the more Complete your expression. You see, the word that is most important to you depends on your situation. Finally, you decide what are the most important ideas. And use pitch to make them stand out. Rhythm Patterns and Consonant Clusters There is a double emphasis in these challenging monologues: Using Intonation and Rhythm Patterns, along with Articulate Consonant Clusters. Operative Word List Feel the articulation, and the difference between the Voiced and Unvoiced consonant cluster. Monologue for Intonation, Rhythm Patterns, and Consonant Clusters These very similar sounding clusters are performed in a deliberately fast-moving context to master their articulation. Contents of Intonation & Rhythms Intonation Practice Scenes Rhythm Patterns and Consonant Clusters bl , pl , br , pr / tr , dr , tw / gl , gr , kl , kr , kw / fl , fr shr , str / spl , spr / skr , skw / bd , pt , bz , ps / dz , ts dgd , cht / nd , nt / nz , ns / nge , nch / ngdg , ncht vd , vz / zd , st