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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Raised tonal inflection
"Clive Milano (Originally Manchester)
The use of a raised tonal inflection on the last word or syllable of a sentence used to imply a question in British English. With Australasian and Californian English speakers, on he other hand, this tonal emphasis has no particular significance, i.e. it doesn't imply a question or invite confirmation. However, the habit seems to be becoming very widespread amongst British English speakers. Why on earth should this be happening? "
He's right. I've noticed this often and meant to ask about it. It has become widespread amongst Brits in recent years and it puzzles me.
The use of a raised tonal inflection on the last word or syllable of a sentence used to imply a question in British English. With Australasian and Californian English speakers, on he other hand, this tonal emphasis has no particular significance, i.e. it doesn't imply a question or invite confirmation. However, the habit seems to be becoming very widespread amongst British English speakers. Why on earth should this be happening? "
He's right. I've noticed this often and meant to ask about it. It has become widespread amongst Brits in recent years and it puzzles me.
Top answer
[nq:1]"Clive Milano (Originally Manchester) The use of a raised tonal inflection on the last word or syllable of a sentence ... often and meant to ask about it. [/nq] Recently?
- [nq:1]"Clive Milano (Originally Manchester) The use of a raised tonal inflection on the last word or syllable of a sentence ...
- often and meant to ask about it.
- [/nq] Recently?
- (raised tonal inflection ).
- htm E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk
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4 Answers
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[nq:1]"Clive Milano (Originally Manchester) The use of a raised tonal inflection on the last word or syllable of a sentence ... often and meant to ask about it. It has become widespread amongst Brits in recent years and it puzzles me.[/nq]
Recently? (raised tonal inflection ).
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Recently? (raised tonal inflection ).
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
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On Sun, 23 Jan 2005, In message
(Email Removed), (Email Removed) writes
[nq:1]"Clive Milano (Originally Manchester) The use of a raised tonal inflection on the last word or syllable of a sentence ... often and meant to ask about it. It has become widespread amongst Brits in recent years and it puzzles me.[/nq]
Rory McGrath (I think) calls it the Moronic Interrogative. It strikes me as
(Email Removed), (Email Removed) writes
[nq:1]"Clive Milano (Originally Manchester) The use of a raised tonal inflection on the last word or syllable of a sentence ... often and meant to ask about it. It has become widespread amongst Brits in recent years and it puzzles me.[/nq]
Rory McGrath (I think) calls it the Moronic Interrogative. It strikes me as
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[nq:2]"Clive Milano (Originally Manchester) The use of a raised tonal ... widespread amongst Brits in recent years and it puzzles me.[/nq]
[nq:1]Rory McGrath (I think) calls it the Moronic Interrogative. Itstrikes me as a suitable name.[/nq]
Haha. Thanks. Suitable name indeed.
Searching Google with "Moronic Interrogative" suggests that it's also called Australian Question Intonation (A
[nq:1]Rory McGrath (I think) calls it the Moronic Interrogative. Itstrikes me as a suitable name.[/nq]
Haha. Thanks. Suitable name indeed.
Searching Google with "Moronic Interrogative" suggests that it's also called Australian Question Intonation (A
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[nq:1]a Australasian emphasis this has[/nq]
It's a fairly well-researched phenomenon do a google search on "high rising terminal" for some non-judgemental analyses.
I find the idea that it has propagated from Australian speech highly dubious. Some Australian academics seem fairly eager to claim their country as the source, but calling it "Australian Questioning Intonation" entirely fa
It's a fairly well-researched phenomenon do a google search on "high rising terminal" for some non-judgemental analyses.
I find the idea that it has propagated from Australian speech highly dubious. Some Australian academics seem fairly eager to claim their country as the source, but calling it "Australian Questioning Intonation" entirely fa
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