what is intonation and stress
There are different definitions of intonation at
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intonation
In general, it is a manner of riaing and falling pitch when speaking or chanting, or the ability or inability sing on key.
The word "stress" in this context means how loudly you say each syllable in comparison with the other syllables in the word or sentence.
in ton A tion -- In that word, the third syllable is "stressed."
Intonation and stress are important aspects of spoken language. Intonation refers to the rise and fall of pitch in a person's voice while speaking. It conveys different meanings and emotions by altering the pitch patterns of words and sentences. Stress, on the other hand, refers to the emphasis or prominence placed on certain syllables or words within a sentence.
To understand intonation and stress better, you can try the following steps:
1. Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how native speakers of the language you're interested in naturally use intonation and stress in their speech. Observe their pitch variations and how they emphasize certain words or parts of sentences.
2. Practice pitch patterns: Intonation involves variations in pitch, so it's helpful to practice different pitch patterns. Start by reading simple sentences aloud and experiment with changing the pitch of certain words or emphasizing different parts of the sentence.
3. Study word stress: Word stress refers to the emphasis placed on specific syllables within a word. Take time to learn the rules for word stress in the language you're learning. This typically involves understanding whether the stress falls on the first, second, or later syllable of a word.
4. Practice stress in sentences: Once you feel comfortable with word stress, practice applying stress to longer sentences. This involves identifying the content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) in a sentence and placing stress on them naturally.
5. Use intonation and stress for meaning: Remember that intonation and stress can change the meaning of a sentence. Experiment with altering intonation patterns to convey different emotions or intentions. For example, raising your pitch at the end of a sentence can indicate a question, while emphasizing certain words can add emphasis or contrast.
By listening to native speakers, practicing pitch patterns, studying word stress, and using intonation and stress effectively, you can develop a more natural and expressive way of speaking.