Understanding Prosodic Features in Speech

Matthew Barby discusses the importance of prosody in speech, highlighting features like stress, pitch, intonation, pauses, pace, loudness, and paralinguistic features. He explains how these elements affect communication and meaning, using examples to illustrate their impact. The video emphasizes the significance of non-verbal cues and vocal effects in conveying messages effectively.

Why is prosody important in speech communication?

• It helps in understanding the literal meaning of words.

• It adds emotional context and clarity to spoken words.

• It is only important for written communication.

• It is used to correct grammatical errors.

What does prosody refer to in speech?

• The speed at which a person reads a text.

• The grammatical structure of sentences.

• The vocabulary used in a conversation.

• The set of variables that affect how a message is communicated.

Which of the following is NOT a feature of prosody?

• Intonation

• Grammar

• Pitch

• Stress

How does stress affect the meaning of a word?

• It changes the spelling of the word.

• It has no effect on the meaning of the word.

• It alters the pronunciation but not the meaning.

• It can change the meaning depending on which syllable is stressed.

What does a raised pitch at the end of a sentence usually indicate?

• An exclamation

• A command

• A question

• A statement

How can intonation suggest doubt or uncertainty?

• By whispering the words.

• By having a rising and falling pitch pattern.

• By using a monotone voice.

• By speaking very quickly.

What is the role of pauses in speech?

• To make the speech longer.

• To reduce the volume of speech.

• To emphasize certain words or ideas.

• To confuse the listener.

What does fast speech typically indicate?

• Relaxation

• Hurry or stress

• Boredom

• Confusion

Why is loudness important in speech?

• It is only important in written communication.

• It helps in understanding the grammar of the speech.

• It makes the speaker sound more intelligent.

• It ensures the speaker is heard clearly.

What are paralinguistic features?

• The speed at which a person reads a text.

• Non-verbal elements like body language and gestures.

• The grammatical rules of a language.

• The vocabulary used in a conversation.