I’ve noticed when people wonder aloud about something, their voice takes an intonation that isn’t quite like a statement or a question.

There is a type of intonation that’s becoming prevalent in the States that I don’t like at all. I’ve heard linguists call it “uptalking”. It’s when you’re talking? and you end just about every phrase? with an upward intonation in your voice? and so it sounds like you’re asking endless questions? even when you’re stating facts? Very annoying.

It started about 10 or 15 years ago, and now it’s spread like a disease especially among school children. It’s a real battle for me to stop my daughter from doing it unconsciously - she simply does it because the majority of her classmates do it. I think it makes a person appear less intelligent, and it’s also very grating to listen to, so an otherwise interesting person turns into someone you wish to avoid.

On the positive side, I love to listen to the intonations of non-native English speakers when they are speaking English. They often sound nice, and they tell you something about the nature of the speaker’s native language.

Charley,

Thanks for pointing this out. The Lesson PDF should be working correctly now. Let me know if you continue to experience problems.

Thanks again,
Joseph