Semantics, Discourse and Pragmatics - Paralinguistic Features

Question 1

The quality or character of the voice that can convey emotions or attitudes.
Example: A warm tone might express friendliness, while a sharp tone might indicate anger or impatience.

Answer 1

Tone of Voice

Question 2

The highness or lowness of the voice.
Example: A degree of this quality may signal excitement or questioning, whilst a low degree of it might convey seriousness or calmness.

Answer 2

Pitch

Question 3

The use of silence or breaks in speech.
Example: It can indicate thoughtfulness, hesitation, or emphasis.

Answer 3

Pauses

Question 4

The rise and fall of pitch across a sentence or phrase.
Example: A rising of this quality at the end of a sentence may indicate a question, while a falling of this quality may indicate a statement.

Answer 4

Intonation

Question 5

Stressing particular words or syllables to highlight their importance.
Example: Saying “I didn’t say he stole the money” with emphasis on different words changes the meaning (e.g., emphasizing “I” suggests someone else said it).

Answer 5

Emphasis

Question 6

The pattern or flow of speech.
Example: A rhythmic, flowing speech pattern can convey ease, while choppy rhythm might suggest anxiety or discomfort.

Answer 6

Speech Rhythm

Question 7

Sounds made during speech that are not words but contribute to meaning (e.g., uh-huh, mhm, sighs, laughter).
Example: A sigh can indicate frustration, while a laugh might convey amusement.

Answer 7

Non-verbal Sound