Intonation of a Declarative Sentence in Megrelian

Abstract

The present paper deals with intonation of a declarative sentence in Megrelian. Detailed analysis concerning the issue has never been conducted before. The research has revealed that the Megrelian declarative sentence – simple, simple complicated and compound – begins with a low pitch and ends with falling intonation; some speakers start a declarative sentence with a high pitch but they end it with a falling intonation contour without any exception; even within a sentence, the members gradually fall and rise in tone depending on a speaker’s attitude, i.e. which part of speech they want to focus on. Emphasized parts of speech are outlined in a sentence this way. The results of the research are also important in terms of teaching Megrelian. The Megrelian declarative sentence is mainly characterized by LHL% intonation contour, though HL% intonation contour can also be found in rare cases.