Inflectional Changes
Record the following exercises and then listen critically to see if you can hear the difference in the way you interpreted the meaning of the words.
Say the word YES to indicate:
Certainty
Doubt
Indecision
Sarcasm
Say the word NO and, by changes of inflection, indicate the following:
Definitely not.
Well, maybe.
Im surprised to learn that.
Im annoyed to learn that.
Im pleased and surprised to learn that.
Say the sentence Ill be there. so that the following attitudes are implied:
Determination
Pleasant agreement
Surprise
Annoyance
Say the sentence I like Bill. to bring out the following:
· A direct statement of fact. You mean literally what the words say.
· A contradiction of the literal meaning of the words. You definitely do not like Bill.
· Irritation and surprise that anyone could conceivably accuse you of liking Bill.
· Indecision as to your feelings about Bill.
· Specific indication that your liking is for Bill and not for anyone else who may be present.
· Your answer to the question Who likes Bill?
· An aggressive and emphatic answer to the question Who could possibly care for a man like Bill?
With special thanks to:-
Connie Terwilliger
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