美语听力与发音技巧第16期 | 附加问句的语调 Intonation of Tag Questions.
摘要： 附加问句（Tag Questions）在美语中通过语调区分两种用途：降调表示寻求对方对已知事实的认同，升调则用于真正询问未知信息。
- 附加问句使用降调（↘）时，说话者预期对方同意自己认为正确的陈述。
- 附加问句使用升调（↗）时，说话者并不知道答案，是在真实地提问以获取信息。
- 相同的附加问句结构因语调不同而表达完全不同的交际意图。
- 掌握附加问句的语调有助于提升英语听力理解与自然发音能力。
小白老师说：美语听力与发音技巧，今天的主题是附加问句的语调，音频是中英文双语的，请点击下方条形框播放音频。
Welcome to Daily Tips on Learning English. Today’s tip is on the intonation of tag questions.
Tag questions are used in two very different ways, and the difference depends on whether you use a rising or falling pitch at the end of the tag question. One way tag questions are used is to get your listener to agree with you about something you think is a fact, or must be true.
If you think a lady is beautiful, you say, “She is beautiful, isn’t she?↘” You expect the listener to say, “Yes, she is.” If you know a man is not rich, you say, “He isn’t rich, is he?↘” You expect the listener to say, “No, he isn’t.” When you use a tag question to get your listener to agree, you must use a falling intonation. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?↘” “He isn’t rich, is he?↘”
The other way tag questions are used is to ask for information. You don’t know the answer, so you ask in a question. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?↗” “He isn’t rich, is he?↗” when you really don’t know the answer, you should use a rising intonation. So, “He isn’t rich, is he?↘” you know that he isn’t rich. But, “He isn’t rich, is he?↗” you don’t know whether he is rich or not.
Listen to another example. “You like Taiwan, don’t you?↗” “You like Taiwan, don’t you?↘”
So remember to use the proper intonation when you use tag questions.
This has been today’s daily tip on learning English. Tune in tomorrow for another tip.
常见问题
附加问句什么时候用降调？
当说话者相信某事为真，并希望对方确认或同意时，附加问句使用降调。
附加问句什么时候用升调？
当说话者不确定事实，真正想询问信息时，附加问句使用升调。
“She is beautiful, isn’t she?” 用升调和降调有什么区别？
降调表示说话者认为她确实漂亮，期待对方同意；升调表示说话者不确定她是否漂亮，正在询问。
参考资料
Daily Tips on Learning English – Intonation of Tag Questions
本文内容源自小白老师《美语听力与发音技巧》第16期音频节目，提供中英双语讲解。