The term "intonation" can be met in various areas of knowledge: in linguistics, in poetry, in music, in dance and even in painting and architecture. In each of these areas this concept is defined in own way and plays a special role. However most often tell about intonation within communication of people with each other including by means of art.
The speech is one of means of communication in the course of which people not just communicate, but also report each other about the attitude towards her. How any given phrase on what word the emphasis was placed was said, also the meaning of all statement depends. A striking example of it is expression "To execute it is impossible to pardon". Depending on the put accent the destiny of the person will be decided. And the intonation helps to place it. In the course of the conversation the people not only report about something, but also give the feelings and experiences. And to express surprise, joy, anger, the fear or delight use not only words, but also say them in a certain manner.
Thus, the intonation can be defined as sound means of language by means of which in the speech the allocation of semantic parts of a statement and expression of the relation speaking to the thought reproduced aloud is provided. It is reached by means of a voice, namely height of its tone, a timbre, etc. Proceeding from such definition, it is possible to speak about several functions of intonation in the speech.
One of such functions is determination of completeness or incompleteness of a statement. Besides, it is possible to determine by intonation, a modality of a statement i.e. whether it is a statement, a question or exclamation. And of course by means of pauses it is possible to connect or separate parts of the whole expression. And if in oral speech all these functions are implemented by means of a voice, then on the letter it is reached by means of punctuation marks. The intonation holds a specific place in art. For example, in poetry it creates a special rhythm and a melodics of the verse, in music it embodies art an image in sounds, in dance allocates movements, etc. But, in what sphere the intonation would not be considered, it is possible to claim that everywhere it represents some kind of accent. A difference only in by means of what it is placed – whether it be height and volume of sound, a rhythm, a voice timbre, color and clearness of lines or dancing pases.