The rise tone in short story narration: A case study of Malay ESL learners

Ahmad Nadzri, Fazyudi and Abdul Wahid, Mohd Ridwan and Pilus, Zahariah (2020) The rise tone in short story narration: A case study of Malay ESL learners. In: International Conference on Language and Literature 2020, 15th-17th January 2020, Kuala Lumpur. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Despite its importance in communication, ESL learners often face difficulties in using intonation appropriately due to cross-linguistic suprasegmental differences. Moreover, intonation is difficult for them to learn because its functions can change according to context (Mok, Yin, Setter & Mat Nayan, 2016). Given these challenges, the objective of this study was to investigate the application of one type of intonation – the rise tone – in the speech of such speakers. Sixty Malay ESL learners, comprising 30 males and 30 females, were asked to narrate a short story individually based on a series of pictures presented to them. Their speech samples were analysed auditorily and acoustically using Praat and their tone functions were identified using Brazil’s (1985, 1997) Discourse Intonation model. It was found that the learners applied the tone when they attempted to: (i) convey new and shared information, (ii) continue speaking, and (iii) present items in a list. In addition, there was a significant gender-based difference in the speakers’ application of the tone to convey new and shared information and to continue speaking. Findings may contribute details to Malaysian English phonology and shed more light on tone usage among ESL speakers.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Slide Presentation)
Additional Information:	680/81159
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Malay ESL learners, rise tone, short story narration
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PE English
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of English Language & Literature Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences
Depositing User:	Dr Zahariah Pilus
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2020 14:37
Last Modified:	17 Jul 2020 14:37
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/81159

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