II. INFLECTION. (18)
Inflection is a bending or sliding of the voice either upward or downward.
The upward or rising inflection is an upward slide of the voice, and is marked by the acute accent, thus, ('); as,
Did you call'? Is he sick'?
The downward or falling inflection is a downward slide of the voice, and is marked by the grave accent, thus, ('); as,
Where is London'? Where have you been'?
Sometimes both the rising and falling inflections are given to the same sound. Such sounds are designated by the circumflex, thus, (v) or thus, (^). The former is called the rising circumflex; the latter, the falling circumflex; as,
But nobody can bear the death of Clodius.
When several successive syllables are uttered without either the upward or downward slide, they are said to be uttered in a monotone, which is marked thus, (—); as,
Roll on, thou deep and dark blue Ocean—roll
EXAMPLES. (19)
Does he read correctly' or incorrectly'?
In reading this sentence, the voice should slide somewhat as represented in the following diagram:
Does he read cor-rectly or incorrect-ly?
If you said vinegar, I said sugar,
To be read thus:
If you said vinegar, I said sugar,
If you said yes, I said no.
To be read thus:
If you said yes, I said no.
What! did he say no?
To be read thus:
What! did he say no?
He did'; he said no',
To be read thus;
He did; he said no.
Did he do it voluntarily', or involuntarily'?
To be read thus:
Did he do it voluntarily, or involuntarily?
He did it voluntarily', not involuntarily',
To be read thus:
He did it voluntarily, not involuntarily.