Prosodic Patterns in English Conversation

audio examples for Chapter 3: Downstep Constructions

Two Long, Flat, Downstepped Syllables

3.1) hang on (downstepped)

3.2) hang on (flat)

3.3) Susan

3.4) Julian

3.5) Alexander

3.6) John

3.7) over here

3.8) knock knock ...

The Core Meaning: Cueing Action

3.9) nyah-nyah, you can't catch me

3.10) ready or not, here I come

3.11) ollie-ollie-all-come-free-oh

3.12) tag: you're it!

3.13) it's okay, I got it

3.14) okay

3.15) stop that

3.16) unh-uh

3.17) down in front please

3.18) ding-dong

3.19) thank you (downstepped)

3.20) thank you (smooth)

3.21) you have a good one (downstepped)

3.22) you have a good one (flatter)

Conditions and Contexts of Use

3.23) go for it

3.24) Isabel, dinner clean

3.25) help (downstepped)

3.26) have a good one

3.27) you're welcome

3.28) bye-e

3.29) we were talking for seven minutes. Really!

3.30) what did you get on that one? Ninety-nine.

Stronger, Weaker, and Mangled Forms

3.31) good morning

3.32) good morning (stronger)

3.33) good morning (shy)

3.34) excuse me

3.35) excuse me

3.36) welcome to Walgreens

3.37) good bye

3.38) thank you

3.39) bu-bye

A Configuration of Fifteen Prosodic Properties

3.40) I uh

Another Downstep Construction

3.41) I'm sorry

3.42) my bad

3.43) its, it's, true

3.44) oh well

3.45) I'm coming (reluctant)

3.46) I'm coming (announcement)

Language Learning and Socialization

3.47) peek-a-boo

3.48) screw you, green thing

Cueing and Apologizing across Cultures

3.49) excuse me (non-native)

3.50) Fido!