Intonation Patterns in Indian English News Reading: A Praat-Based Analysis

Abstract

Indian English has evolved into a distinct variety shaped by India’s multilingual context. While much attention has been given to its segmental features, prosody—especially intonation—has received comparatively less focus. This study examines intonation patterns in Indian English news reading, with particular attention to the use of falling and limited rising tones. Speech samples from selected North Indian English television news readers were analysed using Praat to observe pitch contours and phrase-final tonal movement. The analysis shows a strong preference for falling intonation in declarative sentences, reflecting the controlled and information-oriented nature of news discourse. A small number of rising or near-level contours were also observed, mainly serving pragmatic or discourse-structuring functions rather than expressing interrogation. The findings suggest that intonation in Indian English news reading is systematic and stable, supporting the view of Indian English as an established variety with its own prosodic patterns. The study highlights the role of media speech in reinforcing these patterns and calls for further region-based and comparative research.