Intonation: statements, questions, and emphasis

What you’ll learn Use French intonation patterns so you sound confident and natural in everyday conversation. Key ideas (keep these in your head) • Statements often fall at the end; yes/no questions often rise (without exaggeration). • Wh‐questions can be flatter or fall; the structure matters more than dramatic pitch. • Intonation works with rhythm groups: pitch movement often happens at group boundaries. Real examples (French → what you often hear → English) • Tu viens ce soir. → tu viens ce soir. → You’re coming tonight. • Tu viens ce soir ? → tu viens ce soir ? → Are you coming tonight? • Tu viens quand ? → tu viens quand ? → When are you coming? Common mistakes (and quick fixes) • Over‐raising like English ‘uptalk’. Fix: keep rises smaller and controlled. • Flat delivery everywhere. Fix: mark group endings and add slight pitch movement. Quick self-check Record 3 versions: statement / yes-no question / wh-question with the same words. Compare pitch at the end.