Abstract: According to the unit of pitch change, languages in the world are generally classified into two categories: tone language and intonation language. English is an intonation language, in which phrases and sentences are the basic units and its pitch movements are shown by different intonations. Chinese is a tone language whose pitch movements are firstly embodied by tones of an individual Chinese character. While reading together, the sentence will have another intonation differing from the tones of single Chinese characters. However, owing to the negative transfer and ignorance of intonation in English teaching process, many mistakes arise. By citing a large number of examples in Chinese and English intonation, this paper finds that both Chinese and English share similar language functions, such as attitudinal, accentual, and grammatical function. Meanwhile, the two languages differ in their intonation roles and implementation ways. Finally, some suggestions are offered to help Chinese learners learn English intonation. 

Key words: intonation; tone; language function; contrast

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要：

1. Introduction...1

2. Literature Review..2

2.1 Chinese Intonation Study

2.1.1 Relationship between Tone and Intonation

2.1.2 Types of Tone 

2.1.3 Functions of Tone

2.2 English Intonation Study

  2.2.1 Configurational Approach

  2.2.2 Level Approach

  2.2.3 Auto-Segmental Approach

3. Comparison of Language Functions between English and Chinese Intonation..5

3.1 Attitudinal Function

  3.1.1 Rising Tone

  3.1.2 Falling Tone

  3.1.3 Fluctuating Tone

3.2 Accentual Function

  3.2.1 Normal Focus

  3.2.2 Unmarked Focus

  3.2.3 Contrastive Focus

3.3 Grammatical Function

4. Suggestions to English Learners........8

4.1 Overcoming the Obstacle of Psychological Factors

4.2 Overcoming the Obstacle of Negative Transfer

4.3 Learning the Theoretical Knowledge of English Intonation

5. Conclusion .........9

Bibliography..11

Acknowledgements...12