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From: rte@elmo.lz.att.com (Ralph T. Edwards)
Subject: Re: noticed on bbc news?
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Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 16:43:32 GMT
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In article <43gt8t$ij9@balsam.unca.edu>, BTHURMAN@UNCAVX.unca.edu (Bill
Thurman) wrote:

> about 10 minutes ago i went up to get coffee & heard a male newsreader
> on bbc. a phenomenon in his reading: a slower enunciation of one or more
> words just prior to each strong halt-mark, especially periods. made me
> compare in my mind tsielinsky's admirable analysis of ciceronian clausulae,
> but, whereas the latter had seem poetically pleasing as read in leon's
> seminars back at texas in the 50's, the newsreader's technique of ending
> sentences seemed somewhat annoying.
> 
> has anyone else noticed this? maybe it also involved a slight change of
> pitch as well as a seemingly slowed enunciation. could any enterprising
> linguists already have a name for it?

I have noticed it.  I think the the pitch is either raised, or held roughly
constant at a higher than normal level over the stretched out last word.
I find the effect utterly absurd.
This was discussed here a few months ago.  (The original poster noted that if
anyone other than a newsreader used this method of speaking, he would be
thought to be mad = crazy).  Several posters found nothing odd about the style.
(Presumably British folk who have become acclimated to it.)

No one had a name for it.

BBC drawl?
British Newsspeak?

Oi'm drohling, oi deon't kneow WOIIIIIIIIIIIII!

It seems somewhat condescending, as though speaking to a slightly slow child.

-- 
R.T.Edwards rte@elmo.att.com 908 576-3031
