How does your L1’s intonation affect the way you speak English?
In the English Language Teaching world, we have L1 and L2 as recurring abbreviations. Let’s set the scene with an explanation of the two here:
- L1 means first language. It is the language you grew up speaking.
- L2 means second language. It is the language you’re learning – in the ELSA universe, it means ENGLISH!
With the given explanation, it’s time to explore:
- How L1 Affects English Intonation
Every language in this world (yes, one among the 7100+ languages now recorded) has its own pattern of intonation. Yet, learners of L2 might naturally and unconsciously carry L1 intonation when speaking L2, and that’s normal.
For example:
Learners with Russian as L1 might naturally have a flat/monotonous intonation. To sound more natural in English, they might have to INCREASE the pitch variation.
Learners with Vietnamese as L1 might have excessive intonation by, partly due to Vietnamese being a tonal language. To sound more natural in English, they might have to DECREASE the variation in pitch.
The trick to mastering intonation in English is learning how the intonation pattern of your L1 differs from that of English. After that, the next step is to adjust the tone to fit the melody of the English language.
- What about some universal rules for English intonation?
What is written in Section 1 requires observation and understanding of the L1. We understand you might want some quick fix as well, so here is a set of fool-proof rules of intonation to help you sound more natural in English:
| Type of Sentence | Intonation Pattern | Example |
| Yes/No Questions | Rising intonation ⤴️ | “Are you ready? ⤴️” |
| Statements | Falling intonation ⤵️ | “I’m ready. ⤵️” |
| Wh- Questions | Falling intonation ⤵️ | “Where are you going? ⤵️” |
| List of Items | Rise on each item, fall at the end | “Apples ⤴️, bananas ⤴️, and oranges ⤵️.” |
| Tag Questions (Real question) | Rising intonation ⤴️ | “You’re tired, aren’t you? ⤴️” |
| Tag Questions (Confirmation) | Falling intonation ⤵️ | “It’s cold today, isn’t it? ⤵️” |
The way you speak English carries the beautiful rhythm and tonal pattern of your mother tongue. Even though there might be a difference in perception of what seems to be natural-sounding English, the gap is there to be observed, reflected on, and celebrated!
Remember:
Mastering natural intonation doesn’t happen overnight, so please be patient! Every time you pay attention to the rhythm and rise-and-fall of your English, you’re getting closer to sounding more natural and confident!
Linh Ta
