Formal and Informal Intonation: English Pronunciation with JenniferESL

Think fast! I'll give you five seconds to name different ways to say hello.

Go.

Okay. Stop.

Here's what I came up with in five seconds.

We can say "hello" and "good morning" to anyone.

But once we start using "hi" and "hey,"

we're becoming less formal.

So we should really only use those kinds of greetings

when it's appropriate to be casual and friendly, right?

Of course, speaking informally goes beyond word choice.

And that's what we'll focus on in this lesson

on formal and informal intonation.

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First, your word choice.

It's the difference between "hello" and "hi."

Or "how are you" and "what's up."

Second, your grammar.

In informal English, we can bend certain rules.

For example, we say, "Coming?"

Instead of "Are you coming?"

Or "You comfortable?"

Instead of "Are you comfortable?"

In everyday conversation, we use fewer words when we can get away with it.

Why say "I feel the same way,"

when we can simply say "me too"?

And finally, there's our intonation.

We use falling and rising intonation in both formal and informal English,

but sometimes in slightly different ways.

Let me give you some examples.

Informal greetings can have more emotion, usually excitement.

And that's why you may here a rise-fall in a very friendly greeting.

Hi. How are you? It's so good to see you!

A slightly more formal greeting will have greater control and more restraint.

You'll usually hear simple falling intonation.

Hello. Nice to meet you.

Very polite greetings may use a fall-rise.

So you might hear a receptionist or a hostess at a fancy restaurant speak like this.

Hello. Good evening.

Just as there's some variation in our greetings,

there can be some variation in how we ask questions.

Normally we use falling intonation on information questions.

Questions with wh- words.

And we use rising intonation on yes-no questions.

But here are two things to note.

So compare these two questions.

As mentioned in a previous lesson...

For example

Finally, how we get someone's attention or how we address someone by name

is influenced by our relationship.

I used rising intonation.

I sound uncertain, maybe hesitant.

I don't want to impose on my professor.

Perhaps I have a question or a request of some sort.

Again, I'm using rising intonation,

but it's not at a very high pitch.

I use rising intonation like a question.

I expect a response, or I hope for a response.

It's a first-name basis, so it's not formal.

It's rather neutral.

I ask a question. I want a response.

Again, it's a first-name basis, but this sounds more commanding.

It's mostly falling intonation like a statement.

I expect a response, and I need one now.

Perhaps Jerry and I are equal,

or it could also be that I'm a little higher in position compared to Jerry.

Let's try a short dialog.

It will go like this.

Now I'll be person A and you be person B.

Hello. Would you like a table for two?

All right. What is your last name, please?

Very good. I'll call you when your table is ready.

Taylor? Party of four? ...This way, please.

Let's try switching, okay?

I'll take role B and you take role A.

Actually, we're expecting another couple to join us, so we'll be a party of four.

Taylor.

That's all for now. Thanks for watching and happy studies!