Delsarte System of Oratory by Various
page 50 of 576 (08%)
page 50 of 576 (08%)
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grateful, his voice will have both inflections.
If surprise predominates over love the rising inflection will predominate. If love and surprise are equal, he will simply say, "Well now!" _Kan_ in Chinese signifies at the same time the roof of a house, a cellar, well, chamber, bed--the inflection alone determines the meaning. Roof is expressed by the falling, cellar by the rising inflection. The Chinese note accurately the depth and acuteness of sound, its intervals and its intensity. We can say: "It is pretty, this little dog!" in 675 different ways. Some one would do it harm. We say: "This little dog is pretty, do not harm it!" "It is pretty because it is so little." If it is a mischievous or vicious dog, we use _pretty_ in an ironical sense. "This dog has bitten my hand. It is a pretty dog indeed!" etc. _Rules of Inflection._ 1. Inflections are formed by an upward or downward slide of the voice, or the voice remains in monotone. Inflections are, then, eccentric, concentric and normal. 2. The voice rises in exaltation, astonishment, and conflict. 3. The voice falls in affirmation, affection and dejection. |
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