International function is not fully distinctive in the classical sense, but it is potentially of such far-reaching import that students of language can hardly afford to ignore it. In instances when a given type of meaning is not conveyed by other ling...
International function is not fully distinctive in the classical sense, but it is potentially of such far-reaching import that students of language can hardly afford to ignore it. In instances when a given type of meaning is not conveyed by other linguistic means, intonation is left carrying the load. Its function in shaping speaker meaning is undeniable.
If we were to list the functions which intonation is claimed to fulfill with respect to information structure, the list would include the following: (1) tone-units realize units of information ; (2) the nucleus signals the presence of information focus: (3) high vs. low pitch marks new vs. given; extra pitch height, steep slope and accompanying low level deaccented syllables mark contrastive information : (4) the position of the nucleus realizes unmarked vs. marked focus.