Intonation refers to the rise and fall of the voice while speaking. It plays an important role in conveying emotions, intentions, and meanings beyond the actual words. Different intonation patterns can indicate questions, statements, commands, or exclamations, helping listeners understand the speaker's attitude and the context of the conversation.
The word "intonation" comes from the Latin word "intonatio," which means "to sound" or "to chant." It is derived from "intonare," meaning "to thunder" or "to sound out loud," combining the prefix "in-" (into) and "tonare" (to thunder or sound).