Use these outgoing voice-mail messages for accent coaching and pronunciation practice.
- You’ve reached Karina at CTT technical support>\. I’m not able to take your call now >\. Please, leave a message>\ and I’ll call you back>\ as soon as possible>\.
- You’ve reached Karina at CTT technical support>\. I’m not able to answer the phone now.>\. Please, leave a message>\, and I’ll return your call>\as soon as possible>\.
- You’ve reached Karina at CTT technical support>\. I’m either away from my desk or on another line>\. Please, leave a message >\, and I’ll return your call>\ as soon as I’m able to>\.
Accent and Pronunciation Tips
Practice improving accent and pronunciation.
A) Underline the content words, or important words, and practice using higher intonation, or volume, when you say these words. Content words, or important words, usually have higher intonation. By contrast, they are more prominent than less important function words, also called grammar words.
B) The focus word is the most important words in a phrase or sentence. It is the last or the second to last content word in a phrase or sentence. Double underline the focus word, the most important word in a phrase or sentence. You can, also, write or type this word in capitals. If you’re typing, you can use bold lettering. The focus word sounds more prominent; it carries a little volume, and its intonation is higher. The focus word in a phrase or sentence plays an important role in defining the intonation or stress pattern of a phrase or sentence.
C) Intonation falls at the end of a phrase or sentence. It is sometimes characteristic of accented speech to have a rising intonation at the end of a phrase or sentence. Practice letting your intonation, or volume, drop off and become lower at the end of a phrase or sentence. Be sure not to punctuate the last syllable or word in a phrase or sentence. Write an arrow at the end of phrase or sentence as reminder that the intonation falls at that point. If you are typing, use these two symbols >\ to indicate falling intonation or a drop in volume or pitch.
There’s only so much one can communicate about accent and pronunciation in writing, and there’s more to say about intonation patterns. However, this is a good starting point to begin practicing.
