Abstract: The lack of studies about the intonation typical of the geographical dialect from Santiago de Cuba was the main motivation to undertake this project. It aims at describing and explaining functions of the intonation system and intonation rules of the geographical variant of language spoken in the said region. This is the first approach to this subject based on the use of instrumental means. The subject analyzed is quite recent and derives from the need for the conduction of language research in the country at large, along with the increase in the study of Spanish intonation worldwide.
The methodology used is supported by the structural approach and is based, from the descriptive point of view, on the Melodic Analysis of Speech (Cantero Serena 2002). The theoretical approach essentially consists in valuing and coherently determining the phonological features of the prosedema, bearing in mind the independence of this domain of analysis (phonological) from other domains like the grammatical, discursive or pragmatic. Regarding the method of formal analysis, it is based on the hierarchical perspective of the melodic continuum, conceived more as a structure containing significant components that are established in specific points of the speech chain (i.e., syllabic cores) than as a succession of different tones. Hence, these are the elements in which we have focused for the analysis.
Results of this study are mainly scientific and social in nature. They include a functional description and explanation of the intonation system and pattern of the Spanish spoken in Santiago; a variety of intonation units from the geographical dialect studied; and an educational multimedia on the subject described. All these elements are used as reference and supporting material for subjects related to the teaching the pronunciation of the Spanish spoken in Cuba, and in the teaching of Spanish as the mother or as a foreign language. On a social level, this study can become a contribution to the national unity, since its results contribute to legitimize features typical of the intonation pattern commonly used in the city of Santiago de Cuba, as well as to reinforce the cultural identity of the city population as regards this aspect of language.
Project Director:
Members:
- Eloína Miyares Bermúdez, PhD.
- Julio Vitelio Ruiz Hernández, PhD.
- Katia Karina Gómez Lujo, BA.
- Yamilka Pérez Joa, BA.
- Rafael Acosta Sánchez, Tech.