Page:An outline of English phonetics ... with 131 illustrations (IA cu31924027389505).pdf/154

136 ; when it falls we have a falling intonation; when it remains on one note for an appreciable time, we have level intonation. Level intonation is comparatively rare in ordinary speaking, but is not uncommon in reciting pieces of a serious character. It may often be noticed, for instance, in the speech of good actors reciting Shakespeare.

693. The range of intonation is very extensive. It is a noteworthy fact that most people in speaking reach notes much higher and much lower than they can sing.

694. The extent of the range in any given case depends on circumstances. It is as a general rule greater in the declamatory style of speech than in conversational style, and in each case it is greater when the speaker is excited than when he is grave. In reciting a passage of a light or humorous character it is by no means unusual for a man with an average voice to have a range of intonation of over two octaves, rising to F or even higher and going down so low that the voice degenerates into a kind of growl which can hardly be regarded as a musical sound at all. In ordinary conversation the intonation (in men's voices) does not often rise above D

695. In the case of ladies voices, the range of intonation is not quite so extensive. The average limits are in declamatory style about and G and in conversation about B and G

696. The most satisfactory way of representing intonation for practical purposes is by means of a curved line, which rises as the pitch rises, and falls as the pitch falls, placed immediately above the line of phonetic transcription. It is also useful sometimes to have an approximate musical