Suprasegmentals

Definition of Suprasegmentals

Suprasegmentals are features of speech that go beyond individual consonants and vowels (segments). They include properties like stress, intonation, tone, and length, which apply to larger units of speech, such as syllables, words, or entire sentences. These features are crucial for conveying meaning, emotion, and emphasis in spoken language, and they help organize speech into coherent and meaningful patterns.

Types of Suprasegmentals

There are several key types of suprasegmental features that influence speech:

Stress
Intonation
Tone
Length
Pitch
Juncture

1. Stress

Stress refers to the emphasis placed on certain syllables or words in speech. Stressed syllables are usually louder, longer, and have a higher pitch than unstressed syllables. Stress can affect the meaning of words, especially in languages like English, where a change in stress can change the meaning or part of speech of a word.

Primary Stress: The syllable with the most emphasis in a word.
- Example: In the word “record” (noun), the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈrɛkərd/.
Secondary Stress: A weaker stress that can occur in longer words.
- Example: In the word “unbelievable”, the primary stress is on the third syllable, while the first syllable receives secondary stress: /ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəbl̩/.
Stress in Sentences: Stress can also be applied to entire words within a sentence to emphasize key points.
- Example: “I never said you stole my money” can change meaning based on which word is stressed.

2. Intonation

Intonation refers to the rise and fall of pitch throughout a sentence or phrase. It is a key feature in expressing questions, statements, commands, and emotions. In many languages, intonation plays a critical role in conveying the speaker’s attitude or intention.

Rising Intonation: Commonly used for questions, especially yes/no questions.
- Example: “Are you going to the store?” would have a rising pitch at the end.
Falling Intonation: Often used for statements or commands.
- Example: “I’m going to the store.” would typically end with a falling pitch.
Intonation Patterns:
- Declarative sentence: “It’s raining outside.” (falling intonation)
- Yes/no question: “Is it raining outside?” (rising intonation)

3. Tone

Tone is the use of pitch to distinguish meaning between words or syllables in tonal languages such as Mandarin, Thai, and Yoruba. A change in pitch can completely change the meaning of a word.

Tonal Languages: In languages like Mandarin, the same syllable can have different meanings depending on the tone used. Mandarin has four main tones:
- High-level tone: /ma˥/ (mother)
- Rising tone: /ma˧˥/ (hemp)
- Falling-rising tone: /ma˨˩˦/ (horse)
- Falling tone: /ma˥˩/ (scold)
Contour Tones vs. Level Tones:
- Contour tones change pitch within a syllable (e.g., rising or falling).
- Level tones maintain a constant pitch throughout the syllable.

4. Length

Length refers to the duration of a sound. Some languages distinguish between short and long vowels or consonants, and the length of a sound can change the meaning of a word. Length is particularly important in languages such as Finnish, Japanese, and Italian.

Vowel Length: Long and short vowels may differ in meaning.
- Example (Finnish): /muta/ (mud) vs. /muːta/ (but).
Consonant Length (Gemination): Consonants can also be short or long (geminate).
- Example (Italian): /fato/ (fate) vs. /fatto/ (done).

In English, vowel length can sometimes indicate emphasis or be influenced by stress, but it does not change the meaning of a word.

5. Pitch

Pitch refers to the perceived frequency of a sound and is closely related to both intonation and tone. Pitch variations can indicate different emotions or questions in non-tonal languages, but in tonal languages, it can change the meaning of words.

High Pitch: Can indicate excitement, questions, or emphasis.
Low Pitch: Can convey calmness, seriousness, or finality.

In English and many other languages, changes in pitch are used to express different emotions or levels of formality. Pitch also plays a role in indicating the speaker’s attitude.

6. Juncture

Juncture refers to the way sounds are connected or separated in speech. It can affect how words or sounds are perceived, especially in rapid speech. Juncture can help differentiate between words or phrases that might otherwise sound identical.

Open Juncture: A clear separation between sounds or words.
- Example: “I scream” vs. “ice cream.”
Close Juncture: The absence of a pause between sounds, which leads to a smooth transition.
- Example: In fast speech, “I scream” may sound like “ice cream” without the proper juncture.

Juncture can influence the rhythm of speech and how clearly words are articulated.

IPA Symbols for Suprasegmentals

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) includes specific symbols to represent suprasegmental features like stress, length, intonation, and tone. Below are common IPA symbols used for suprasegmental features:

IPA Symbol	Meaning	Example
ˈ	Primary stress	“ˈrecord” (noun)
ˌ	Secondary stress	“ˌunˈbelievable”
ː	Long sound (length)	/fiːt/ (feet)
.	Syllable break	“hotˈdog”
**	**	Minor intonation break
‖	Major intonation break	“I finished. ‖ Then I left.”
˥	High tone	Mandarin: 妈 /ma˥/ (mother)
˩	Low tone	Mandarin: 骂 /ma˩/ (scold)

Importance of Suprasegmentals in Communication

Suprasegmentals are essential in conveying meaning and emotion beyond the literal content of words. They help distinguish between questions, statements, commands, and emotions such as excitement, anger, or doubt.

Clarifying Meaning:
- Suprasegmentals, like stress and intonation, help distinguish between similar words or phrases.
- Example: “You’re going?” (rising intonation, question) vs. “You’re going.” (falling intonation, statement).
Conveying Emotion:
- Intonation and pitch play a vital role in expressing emotions such as happiness, sadness, or frustration.
- Example: The sentence “I’m fine” can sound reassuring or sarcastic depending on the intonation and stress.
Indicating Focus:
- Stress can be used to emphasize certain words or ideas, helping to focus the listener’s attention on key parts of a sentence.
- Example: “I never said you stole my money” (emphasis on “never” changes the focus).