Intonation: Theory, Models, and Applications Athens, Greece September 18-20, 1997

Intonation Patterns Characterising Three Ethnic Varieties of English in Singapore: Observations and Implications

Lisa Lint

Department of English Language & Literature, National University of Singapore, Singapore

This paper begins by describing research conducted on the intonation of three ethnic varieties of Singapore English. However, it does hot simply address the phonetic facts, but also compels us to reflect on other perhaps more abstract and basic issues. A question raised is, taking into account the systematic variation in the intonation patterns exhibited by the ethnic groups, what the underlying representation of the intonation of SE and its unit of analysis might be. This leads us to consider whether such concepts as 'nucleus', for example, are applicable in the varieties of English found in Singapore (and in other non-Southern British English varieties?), and hence whether employing the traditional British model of intonation for describing and analysing intonation patterns in Singapore English is appropriate.

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Bibliographic reference.  Lint, Lisa (1997): "Intonation patterns characterising three ethnic varieties of English in singapore: observations and implications", In INT-1997, 207-210.