2 How You Say It: Body Language, Intonation, and Emotion

Body Language and Intonation

When we talk to someone, we use more than just words. We also use body language and intonation. Body language includes gestures, facial expressions, and how we move our bodies. Intonation is how our voice rises and falls when we speak. Both are important for making sure people understand us and for showing how we feel. In fact, some people say that most of the meaning we share with others comes from body language and intonation, not the words we say!

Before we learn more, think about these questions.

• Imagine someone who is a good speaker. They are interesting and easy to listen to. What do they do with their voice? What do they do with their faces and hands while they speak?
• Now imagine someone who is not a good speaker. What do they do differently? Why is this important?

This chapter will discuss the ways that body language and intonation are important when speaking in English. We will also discuss how you can use these to show emotion and make yourself sound more natural and interesting to listen to.

What is Body Language?

Body language is the way we use our bodies to communicate without words. It includes:

• Gestures: Movements of the hands and arms.
• Facial Expressions: Movements of the face that show feelings.
• Posture: How we stand or sit.
• Eye Contact: Looking at the person we are talking to.

Examples of Body Language in the United States

1. Gestures:
   • Waving: Saying hello or goodbye.
   • Thumbs up: Showing approval or agreement.
   • Nodding: Agreeing or saying yes.
   • Shaking your head: Saying no.
2. Facial Expressions:
   • Smiling: Showing happiness or friendliness.
   • Frowning: Showing sadness or confusion.
   • Raising eyebrows: Showing surprise or interest.
3. Posture:
   • Standing up straight: Showing confidence.
   • Slouching (not standing or sitting up straight): Showing tiredness or lack of interest.
4. Eye Contact:
   • Making eye contact: Showing that you are paying attention.
   • Avoiding eye contact: Can show shyness or discomfort.

Cultural Differences in Body Language

Body language can look different in different cultures. What is polite and typical in one culture can look impolite or unusual in another culture. Use the questions below to compare your cultures with US culture and your classmates’ cultures.

In your culture, how do you…

• greet a person you know very well?
• greet someone who is a complete stranger?
• greet and talk to a child?
• gesture for someone to come closer?
• show that you are paying attention in a conversation?
• begin a meal with a group of people?

In your culture, is it okay to…

• make noises (slurp) when you eat a liquid food like soup?
• burp after a meal in public?
• shake hands with or hug a person of the opposite sex?
• make direct eye contact with someone very important?

Mirror Game

1. Pair up with a classmate and stand facing each other.
2. One person starts as the leader and the other person is the mirror.
3. The leader makes different facial expressions and gestures, and the mirror copies them exactly.
4. Switch roles after a few minutes.
5. Discuss how the different gestures and expressions felt.

What is Intonation?

Intonation is the way our voice sounds and changes when we speak. Intonation is the way our voice changes in pitch when we speak. Pitch is how high or low our voice sounds. In English, intonation helps us show meaning and emotion.

When we speak, we have rising intonation (voice goes up in pitch) and falling intonation (voice goes down in pitch).

Falling intonation happens when we have statements. These are sentences (not questions) that state a fact or thought. In these sentences, our voices go down at the end.

For example:

• The sky is blue.
• I’m studying English.
• I need to go to the doctor.

Rising intonation happens when we have yes or no questions. These are questions that can have yes or no as answers. In these questions, our voices go up at the end.

For example:

• Are you going to school tomorrow?
• Have you finished your homework yet?
• Do you want to go to the park with me?

Sometimes, we can have rising and falling intonation in the same sentence! This often happens when we have finished and unfinished thoughts. Finished thoughts go down because we are finished speaking. Unfinished thoughts go up because you have more to say!

For example, in these two sentences, intonation goes up (shown in red), and then it goes down (shown in blue).

• I have a son and two daughters.
• I want a pizza with cheese, tomatoes, and peppers.

Watch the video below to listen to more examples of how rising and falling intonation works in English.

Why Intonation is Important

Having good intonation helps people understand you better. It shows emotions and attitudes, making your speech more natural and engaging. Different languages use intonation differently, so learning English intonation can help you sound more like a native speaker. The video below shows how intonation can make you sound more interesting in English.

Intonation Practice

1. Write down several sentences that can change meaning with different intonations. For example, “Really?” (surprised) vs. “Really.” (not surprised).
2. Practice saying these sentences with different intonations in pairs or small groups.
3. Share your sentences with the class and demonstrate the different intonations.

Intonation and Emotion Practice

Practice speaking with emotion and varied intonation by reading the sentences and short paragraphs aloud. How can you show meaning by changing your voice?

Make sure you use varied intonation and say your words very clearly. Use emotion to show your meaning! If the sentence is sad, sound sad when you read it. If the sentence is happy, sound happy when you read it. You can even laugh if you think the sentence is funny!

1. It had been a long day, and all I wanted to do was sleep. And yet, the baby wouldn’t stop crying.
2. Life has not been easy for me, but when I think about the future, I always imagine better, brighter days.
3. I walked into class on the first day of school, and I couldn’t believe who was sitting there. It was my old friend, who I hadn’t seen for ten years!
4. She looked into my eyes and asked me lovingly, “What is your biggest dream?”
5. At that moment, I looked down and noticed that my wedding ring was gone.
6. Late one night, I heard a sound like someone was breathing heavily beside my bed. I sat up so fast and tried to see anything around me in the darkness. That’s when I noticed what it was. My dog had opened the door and was sitting by me with a ball in his mouth. Even though it was late, he just wanted to play!