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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > Intonation change - chenge of meaning    

Intonation change - chenge of meaning



blunderbuster
Germany

Intonation change - chenge of meaning
 
Hi there,

I have been thinking about some words where a change of intonation would cause a change of meaning. However, I cannot come up with very many. Here is my list:

blackbird - black bird
English teacher - English teacher (teacher from England)
washing machine - washing machine (but that one isn �t really useful).

I hope you can help.

Regards

2 Apr 2011      





libertybelle
United States

Intonation is everything!
That is why writing on a message board can lead to many misunderstandings!
Even smiley�s aren�t enough.

You can say thank you - and by putting stress on the YOU it means You �re welcome.
Words can be said a million ways and mean a million different things depending on intonation.

2 Apr 2011     



stonefarm
Australia

Have you considered heteronyms i.e 2 words that are spelt the same but are pronounced differently e.g. wind/wind, read/read, bow/bow.  i am in the process of making up an activity for heteronyms - hopefully in the next 2 weeks. 
You could also consider changing the stress in sentences e.g,
   You never told me that
   You never told me that
   You never told me that
Students typically find this quite difficult but it �s a great exercise for awareness of meaning.
Good Luck

2 Apr 2011     



chrissmolder
Australia

Hello!

Here are some others that can change depending on word stress:

cold cream
greenhouse
hot dog
whiteboard

Great suggestion by Stonefarm--I think sentence-level stress is very important. 

Have fun!

2 Apr 2011     



blunderbuster
Germany

Thank you so much for your help so far ;o)

Yes, stress patterns in sentences are quite important in order to be understood correctly, but also in order to sound natural. Students often tell me that my sentences have a different melody to them than theirs and I am planning on making some exercises.

2 Apr 2011     



ueslteacher
Ukraine

What an interesting term "heteronyms"!? I �ve never heard of those before. I thought they are called homophones.
Sophia

2 Apr 2011     



yanogator
United States

No, Sophia, homophones are words that are pronounced the same, but spelled differently, such as "red" and "read". (Greek "homos"=the same, "phonos"=sound).
 
Bruce

2 Apr 2011     



MarionG
Netherlands

together ► to get her
iphone ► I phone
Blueberry ►blueberry ►blue berry

2 Apr 2011     



Jayho
Australia

Homophones, homographs, homonyms, heteronyms - they are similar and the meanings sometimes overlap.  You can read about it here
 
 
This page also has a great list of words for your purpose BB. 
 
Also:
 
night light (as in bed side light) - night light (as in stars are out)
 
 

2 Apr 2011