Listening: Listening for Inference, Attitude, & Opinion B2 - Lesson 2: Deducing Speaker's Feelings, Attitudes, and Intentions from Prosodic Features

B2 PROSODY

Feelings & Attitudes

ការយល់ដឹងពីអារម្មណ៍ និងឥរិយាបថ

🎯 Scenario: Performance Review.
Manager: Giving "Constructive Feedback".
Employee: Reacting to the news.

M

Manager Flat Tone

Analysis (Sarcasm): The words say "thrilled" (happy), but the tone is flat and low. She means the client was angry.

E

Employee Hesitation

Analysis (Reluctance): The pauses (...) and the word "guess" show he accepts the blame reluctantly. He doesn't truly agree, but he is submitting.

M

Manager Rising Pitch

Analysis (Skepticism): Grammatically, it's a statement. But the pitch goes UP at the end. She is doubting his readiness.

Visualizing Sound:

Monotone (Flat)

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Used for boredom or sarcasm. The voice does not move up or down.

Rising Intonation (↗)

▂ ▃ ▄ ▅ ▆

Used for questions or to show uncertainty/doubt.

Falling Intonation (↘)

▆ ▅ ▄ ▃ ▂

Used for statements of fact, commands, or certainty.

Listen to "That's interesting." What is the feeling?

Genuinely curious

Positive pitch.

Skeptical / Disliking

Pause + Low pitch.

Excited

Fast speed + High volume.

Task: Respond to the Sarcasm

The Manager said: "I'm sure the client was thrilled." (Sarcastic).
Write a professional reply that acknowledges the real meaning (that the client was unhappy) without being rude.