null意群sense-groups意群sense-groups 是指一群在意义和语法上具有相近联系的词。每一个意群 包含很多的音节。我们通常用单斜线(/)来区分意群。
1、意群是一个信息单位,它可以表达相似的完整的意义。
The Japanese / for some reason or other / drive on the left / like the Westerners.
2、意群是一个语法单位,它可以是个完整的句子也可以是短语甚至是一个单纯的
。
We study English.
When he comes, I’ll tell him about it.
As a rule, I get up at five every day.
Finally, I wish to thank all who cooperated in this important object.
null3、意群是一个气群
意群的划分受到很多音素的影响,因此不同的人可能把相同的句子分为不同的意群。
I’ll come and sit by the fire and get warm, / and then I shall feel comfortable.
I’ll come and sit by the fire / and get warm, / and then I shall feel comfortable.
Bill said,/ “our boss is lost.”
“Bill,” /said our boss, /“is lost.”
null当我们划分意群的时候,应该通常考虑到语法的结构。标点符号是一个非常终于的基本工具。
What are you doing, John?
It’s going to rain, I’m afraid.
上面两个句子分别包含了称谓语和插入语,他们都是在每个句子的最后位置。尽管前面有个逗号,也不能形成一个独立的意群,但是他们应该被分到一个相关的意群中。如果缺乏句重音,他们也不会形成一个韵群。所以,自然地,在他们之前就不可能有一个停顿。
What we want is plenty of rain.
The year before last, we spent our summer holidays in Yantai.
The Japanese, whose industry is well-known, have recently broken all export records.
“As to that,” I replied, “I am not at all sure.”
停顿停顿语音中的停顿可以理解为一个中途的休息。在我们说英语的时候,依据句子的长短把句子分成两个或更多的部分。我们频繁地用到停顿主要是为了发音更清晰、强调或者只是要缓口气。语音的停顿不是随意出现的:是与音群和意群联系的。当一个群体在语法上和下一个群体不是很紧密联系的时候,就可以有个稍稍的停顿了。这个稍稍的停顿通常用单竖线(|)标记,比较长的停顿则用双竖线(‖)。
停顿的改变在频率和长度上是为了响应一下音素的改变:写作的风格、语音的速度、情感和个人爱好等等。语音在给我们提供一个“空间”去满足说话者和听众的需要上比写作来得更随意。
null尽管英语对于停顿没有固定的规则,但是我们也可以根据习惯总结何时和如何停顿。
1、不要在下面的音素间给予停顿。
(1) 冠词和名词( a coat )
(2) 形容词和名词( new dress )
(3) 助动词和主动词( will come )
(4) 介词和它的宾语( on Saturday )
(5) 副词和动词、形容词或副词( definitely going, really good, very quickly )
(6) 主语、动词和宾语( Mary told me )
null2、停顿的位置和长度
(1)在两个意群中并且没有任何标点符号,半拍
(2)在两个意群中并且有一个逗号或一个破折号,一拍
(3)在两个意群中并且有一个冒号或一个分号,两拍
(4)在两个意群中并且有一个停顿,三拍
(5)在两个段落,四拍
nullIn the living-room | we will talk together, listen to music, or watch television.
I must say that | shopping on Mondays instead of Sundays | is a positive option.
He is a casual acquaintance | whom I met occasionally|on the street.
After returning from the work|we had dinner, and then|we went into the living-room.nullThe theme of that play | would have been interesting|ten years ago.
Certainly, Mrs. Brown, you shall have it|by this time tomorrow.
Some people, especially those living in cities, use only public transportations.
He was cheered by the large crowd which assembled at the station.