Abstract

The paper deals with phonetic means executing theme and rheme functioning in speech. The main components of prosodic arrangement of the theme and rheme structure of the utterance are studied, and a problem of structural units of intonation is investigated. Multi-functionality of intonation tends to complicate a study of speech prosody. At the stage of inventory and taxonomic analysis of the formal means of intonation the basic components of prosodic arrangement of the theme and rheme structure of the utterance are considered and a problem of the structural intonation units is studied. The analysis is based on a study of the material essence of the intonation units which differentiation is provided not only by the melodic component but also by speech intensity, speech tempo (including pauses), voice timbre as well as the integral prosodic characteristic — the phrase stress. It is possible to speak definitely about presence of essential differences in the degree of informational melody, speech intensity, tempo and timbre in the context of communication of meanings, and a complex nature of their accomplishment in speech. Therefore, it becomes important to study not just the role of each of these components in the accomplishment of the communicative function of intonation but also to establish their hierarchy, inter-relation and interdependence. Functional analysis of intonation is primarily aimed at specification of the very principle of classification of the intonation structure functional loading. It is advisable to study the relative autonomy of various functions and the nature of their interaction. The list of intonation functions may be limited with such a set: intelligent and logical function (segmentation by syntagms, links between syntagms, actual segmentation, accentual marking of the syntagm elements), differentiation function of the communication types (situations), the function expressing the emotional state and relations and the function that transfers modal relations. At the prosody level the actual segmentation of utterances is accomplished in speech primarily by using tonal and, partially, dynamic means of intonation (the emphasis is often linked to the forceful intonation components — intensity and energy component): at that, in order to identify the content, the place of stress is important as well as certain peculiarities of its accomplishment.

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