Intonation, known as the rhythm and melody used for standard American career communication, is one of the most important skills to master for speaking with polished, articulate and easy flowing conversational speech and is one of the most critical skills for speaking with less accent.  Without intonation your speech may sound mechanical, flat, too fast, choppy, over-punched, monotone or more heavily accented, making it difficult for the listener to understand or appreciate your message. Misunderstanding a message can create unfortunate consequences, particularly in professional or important situations. 

People are surprised to learn that accent reduction is not only about learning to make individual sounds. You must also use all of your sounds together in phrases while using proper intonation. Making a simple adjustment to your speech rhythm can decrease the intensity of your accent without ever learning how to say one specific sound. When your American speech lacks an American intonation pattern, your message may sound more accented to the listener.  American speech must be spoken in the American style if losing your accent is your goal.  Making a change to how you use speech melody will be one of the most important and effective techniques for improving your speech and will give your conversational speech the competitive edge to persuade, lead and communicate effectively while speaking the American style of English.

Intonation. What Is It and Why Is It So Important for Clear Speech?

Intonation is a term describing how pitch, rhythm and melody are used to group phrases together while maintaining a fluid message that sounds very clear to your listener.  It is a technique that, when done correctly, will also enhance the interest of your listener and give you the power to influence based on how you use pitch patterns and vocal tones to phrase your information.  Clear communication is not only about saying words correctly but about speaking in a melody that keeps your overall pitch patterns smooth to engage your listener. Often accented speakers are unfamiliar with the American and career speaking style, and that impacts the sound quality of their message. Learning how to speak with proper intonation will significantly improve how you sound to others and will enhance your professional image and credibility.

In order to determine if intonation is an important skill for you to learn, think about your speech pattern and determine if you would benefit from changing it.

• What are your speech habits? Is your speech rate too fast, slow or choppy?
• Do you delete sounds and syllables while speaking?
• Do people sometimes have trouble understanding when you are telling a story or are in deep conversation?
• Do you feel your messages or presentation style lack impact?

By making some simple changes you can have control over your melody and produce speech that is clear and understandable while keeping your listener interested.  Think about your intonation style, then describe your own speech pattern. It is important for you to take the time to gain insight on your intonation style so you can identify habits you may want to change.

Take a moment and describe your intonation style and specific habits:

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Intonation Challenges for the Accented Speaker

Intonation can be a challenge when English is a second language.  All dialects and cultures use intonation with their native language differently.  It is not unusual for a speaker to bring their own intonation style from their first language into their American speech. It is a natural thing to do. If someone is new to English and they are speaking it with their native style of intonation, the result is speech that seems to have an accent or is difficult to understand.  The breakdown may be due to your speech being perceived as choppy, monotone, too fast or speaking with heavy glides between words. Although you may have learned the sounds and rules of grammar for English, if the American intonation pattern is not a part of your spoken speech then you will always speak with an accent. Your speech will seem foreign because the American style of intonation was not used.  American speech must be spoken in the American style. Many accented speakers are surprised to have the intensity of their accent decrease after learning how to change their intonation style and rhythm pattern to match the style of American speech.

Cultural Examples of Speech Patterns When English Is a New Language

• When Far and Middle East or Asian speakers keep the intonation pattern of their first language their English appears choppy or monotone to the listener.
• Some European or Spanish speakers will sometimes have a rise in pitch on vowel sounds. This creates a speaking pattern with many deliberate pitch rises and gliding on sounds that are different from the American style and sound foreign to an American listener.

• Many speakers from the Caribbean islands will have a “sing-song” intonation pattern giving a distinct regional accent due to frequent and clear rises in pitch patterns.

• Many fast talkers will delete sounds in multi-syllable words or cut sounds short. For example, deleting the /er/ in runner creating “runnah” or the /g/ in “ing” creating “runnin.” This habit gives your speech a “street” sound that greatly reduces your credibility as a polished and skilled speaker.

However, once the American and career speech pattern is addressed the accent can be significantly improved.  It is amazing how changing intonation can increase overall speech clarity.

The Power of Speaking with a Downward Beat

Speaking on an upward swing creates a weak impression.  It sounds soft, unsure and does not deliver confidence.  Ending important statements on a downward beat demonstrates a strong leadership presence.  Think of skilled public speakers or politicians when they are campaigning.  When they want to make a point or strong impression they end their statement on a downward beat. The next time you watch the news, observe the network broadcasters.  Many of them demonstrate this type of intonation speech pattern.  They end their statements on a downward beat and never produce speech with a “sing-song” melody or end a statement on an upward swing. They are also well trained to say all of their ending sounds without any deletions or substitutions. Be aware of your habits to gain the speaking skills you want to have!

Practice speaking with factual or persuasive information where you have a rise in pitch on the first meaningful word, then move down the staircase on each syllable for the rest of your statement.  Remember to give the final word in your statement a slightly stronger punch to emphasize a point.  Practice with the following lines and listen for that downward beat. This speaking approach will make a big difference in how others perceive you.

  1.  There are three reasons why this is a smart move for us.
  2.  Safety reports demonstrate this car is safer than any other manufacturer’s.
  3.  The interest rates will change next month.
  4.  The temperature can drop as much as 30 degrees at night.
  5.  You may want to bring food since the trip is long.
  6.  I think the advertisement needs bolder colors to attract viewers.
  7.  This will be the only urban business development in this region.
  8.  I recommend we put together a focus group.
  9.  If this medication doesn’t work, call me on my cell phone.
10.  I will have a proposal for you to review by Friday.