Friday, 22 August 2014

Uptalk, the upward inflection

You know how it sounds.  That upward inflection makes every sentence sound like a question, whether you wanted to ask a question or were striving for something else.

See http://eloquentwoman.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/do-you-end-sentences-with-upward.html

 

The high rising terminal (HRT), also known as Uptalk, upspeak, rising inflection, or high rising intonation (HRI), is a feature of some accents of English where ostensibly declarative statements are uttered on a rising note of apology or inquiry.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_rising_terminal

 

Whether it's called the upward inflection, high-rising terminal or simply "uptalk", the habit of making statements sound like questions is a genuine linguistic mystery

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28708526

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