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Intonation is the use of pitch to convey meaning in a…

“Intonation is the use of pitch to convey meaning in a language. It has been described as the music or melody of speech.” quote by David Crystal
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““Intonation is the use of pitch to convey meaning in a language. It has been described as the music or melody of speech.””

David Crystal

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Intonation uses pitch variations to express meaning, turning speech into a melodic pattern that signals questions, statements, emotions, and emphasis.

In simple terms: Pitch changes give speech meaning.

Key Takeaway

Listen to pitch to understand intent.

Themes

language communication phonetics

Mood

informative analytical

Type

educational technical

When to use this quote

  • public speaking
  • language teaching
  • voice acting
  • customer service
  • language learning

Key Concepts

prosody semantic signaling

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does pitch affect listener interpretation?
  • Can intonation change meaning without words?
A Different Perspective

Pitch alone may not convey meaning without context or facial cues.

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