Speaking: Pronunciation B2 - Lesson 2: Using Intonation to Convey Attitude (Sarcasm, Doubt - Basic)

Speaking: Pronunciation B2

Using Intonation to Convey Attitude

What you will learn: At the B2 level, you will move beyond basic intonation to understand how the "music" of your voice can express your true attitude, such as sarcasm or doubt, even when your words are positive.

Scenario: Same Words, Different Meanings 🎭

Listen to this dialogue. An employee, Chantha, says the exact same words, but his intonation completely changes his meaning.

Manager: Chantha, I have good news. I'm giving you a bonus for your hard work!

Chantha: Oh, great!
(Genuine enthusiasm: high, falling pitch)

Manager: Chantha, I have more work for you. You need to work this Saturday.

Chantha: Oh... greaaat.
(Sarcasm: low, slow, flat pitch)

Manager: Chantha, our new plan will double our sales. Do you agree?

Chantha: Yes, I'm... sure...?
(Doubt: rising pitch, like a question)

How to Signal Your Attitude

Let's break down the "music" for sarcasm and doubt.

😒 How to Signal Sarcasm

Sarcasm is saying the opposite of what you feel, often to complain or be funny. The key is to make your voice sound "dead" or emotionless.

• Pattern: Say the keyword slowly, with a low, flat pitch.
• Example: It's raining heavily. You say: "Lovely weather we're having."➘

🤔 How to Signal Doubt

When you're not convinced something is true, your intonation makes your statement sound like a question.

• Pattern: Use a rising or fall-rising intonation at the end of a statement.
• Example: Your friend says he can fix your computer in five minutes. You say: "You can fix it?"➚

Practice Your Intonation 🎯

Activity 1: What's the Attitude?

Read the description of the intonation and choose the most likely attitude.

1. Your colleague says, "Don't worry, the project will be easy." He says "easy" with a rising pitch, making it sound like "easy?".
   What is his real attitude?
   Answer: He is showing doubt; he thinks it will be difficult.
2. It's raining heavily outside. Your friend looks out and says, "Lovely weather," very slowly with a flat, low voice.
   What does she mean?
   Answer: She is being sarcastic; she means the weather is terrible.

Activity 2: Listen & Compare

Listen to the audio for the phrase "That's a wonderful idea." How does the intonation change the meaning?

• Version A (Enthusiastic): Said with a high, falling pitch. (Sounds sincere and happy).
• Version B (Sarcastic): Said slowly, with a low, flat pitch. (Sounds like it's a terrible idea).

Key Vocabulary

• Attitude (Noun) | ឥរិយាបថ
  Your feelings or opinions about someone or something, often shown through your tone of voice.
• Sarcasm (Noun) | ការនិយាយបែបចំអក
  The use of words to mean the opposite of what you say, to be funny or to criticize.
• Doubt (Noun) | ការសង្ស័យ
  A feeling of not being certain about something.
• Intonation / Pitch (Nouns) | សំនៀង / កម្រិតសំឡេង
  The "music" of your voice (rising/falling) and how high or low it is.

Your Mission: Become an Intonation Actor ⭐

Your mission is to practice controlling the "music" of your voice.

1. Choose a simple sentence, for example: "That was very clever."
2. Practice saying it out loud in three distinct ways:
   • Genuinely: With a happy, sincere, falling intonation to praise someone.
   • Sarcastically: Slowly, with a low, flat intonation, as if they did something stupid.
   • Doubtfully: With a rising intonation at the end, as if you don't believe it was clever.
3. Record yourself on your phone and listen back. Can you hear the difference in attitude?