Intonation in Discourse

Intonation plays an important role in the structure of discourse. It is normally used to indicate new information as opposed to given information. New information is information which the speaker assumes the hearer does not possess. This information becomes the focus of the conversation

Imagine an exchange about meat.  A asks B Do you like liver?  B answers I hate liver.  When A asks the question, liver is new information and receives tonic stress. The first syllable of liver receives more stress than any other syllable of the sentence.  However, when B answers, liver has already been established as the topic of the conversation and thus does not need to be highlighted. As a result, tonic stress falls on the word hate.

Intonation also plays an important role in turn-taking. A fall usually indicated a completed turn without the expectation of a reply. A rise, however, gives a strong indication that the speaker intends to continue or that a reply is expected. This is the case with vocatives. If falling intonation is used with Simon, the turn has ended, but if rising intonation is used, the speaker wishes to continue or expects a reply.

One of the roles of intonation in language is to indicate new information. Another is to signal that the speaker wishes to complete his turn, wishes to continue or expects a reply. Intonation is vital in discourse.