<p>As far as I know, there isn't a good system in the IPA for rendering intonation. One way to do it would be with a graph (e.g. using Google Sheets).</p>
<p>Intonation is rather complicated, and I don't know too much about it. I do know that most languages on Earth mark questions with a rising intonation (though certain British dialects have a sharp falling intonation instead). There are probably other near-universals regarding intonation too, which you could also use. But you might also be okay borrowing intonation patterns from natlangs, as long as it's not just one language.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-03-27T20:18:20.967Z
2023-03-27T20:18:20.967Z
nearsighted
<p>How would one approach creating a conlang with a system of intonation, like English? Specifically for a naturalistic a priori conlang.</p>
<p>Some sub-queries I have are</p>
<ul>
<li>What resources are there, if any, on creating intonation system?</li>
<li>What systems of describing intonation unambiguously in written text exist, if any?</li>
</ul>

<conlang-creation><resource-request>
How to create realistic intonation?
# How to create realistic intonation?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-04-10)

How would one approach creating a conlang with a system of intonation, like English? Specifically for a naturalistic a priori conlang.

Some sub-queries I have are

* What resources are there, if any, on creating intonation system?
* What systems of describing intonation unambiguously in written text exist, if any?

**Tags:** conlang-creation, resource-request


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-03-27. Score: 1

As far as I know, there isn't a good system in the IPA for rendering intonation. One way to do it would be with a graph (e.g. using Google Sheets).

Intonation is rather complicated, and I don't know too much about it. I do know that most languages on Earth mark questions with a rising intonation (though certain British dialects have a sharp falling intonation instead). There are probably other near-universals regarding intonation too, which you could also use. But you might also be okay borrowing intonation patterns from natlangs, as long as it's not just one language.


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