Suprasegmentals
Suprasegmentals are features of speech that extend beyond individual speech sounds (segments) and affect entire sequences of sounds or even entire utterances. They include aspects such as stress, intonation, pitch, tone, and timing. These features can convey additional meaning, emotion, or emphasis in spoken language.
Stress: In many languages, certain syllables within words are pronounced with greater emphasis than others. This can affect the meaning of words and sentences. For example, in English, "REcord" (verb) and "reCORD" (noun) have different stress patterns.
Intonation: Intonation refers to the rise and fall of pitch in speech. It can convey information about the speaker's attitude, emotion, or the grammatical structure of a sentence. For instance, rising intonation at the end of a sentence in English often indicates a question.
Pitch and Tone: Some languages, such as Mandarin Chinese, use variations in pitch (tones) to distinguish between words that would otherwise sound the same. In these languages, changing the pitch of a syllable can change its meaning entirely.
Timing: The timing of speech, including factors such as speech rate and rhythm, can also convey meaning. For example, a rapid speech rate might indicate excitement or urgency, while a slower rate might convey calmness or emphasis.
Suprasegmental features are crucial for effective communication and can greatly influence how spoken language is perceived and understood. They provide additional layers of information beyond the basic sounds of speech, contributing to the richness and nuance of spoken communication.
