A Functional View Of Intonation Variation In Modern British English

Studies on intonation can be traced backward to the middle of the 16^th century in England when some early English linguists discussed the rules and use of punctuation marks and grammatical structure. In 1569, British grammarian John Hart used the term "falling tone" when discussing rules for the use of punctuation marks such as the question-mark and exclamation mark in relation to interrogative-word questions, commands and exclamations. In 1634, British linguist Charles Butler proposed two main pitch movements - the falling tune and the rising tune - when discussing the relationship between sentence pattern and intonation. In 1775, John Steele associated music with language, and at the same time declared that music progressed by steps but speech by glides. In the first part of the 20^th century, intonation study saw its prosperity. Based on specific methods and goals, intonation study in the 20^th century can be generally classified into three approaches: tune approach, tone approach and segmental approach. During the same period, accompanying the arising of modern linguistics, there are two corresponding approaches into general linguistic research: one, the formal linguistics; the other, the functional linguistics. Functional linguistics tries to establish links between linguistic constituents and the culture elements which contribute to the form of language.At current stage, the school of systemic-functional linguistics, headed by M.A.K. Halliday, has become the most influential school in the field of functional...