Abstract/Summary

This paper presents the findings of a study on the intonational features in ten proficient Malay Speakers of English (MSEs), focusing on a distinct rising tone (the Cooperative Rise, CR). Using Brazil’s (1985) Discourse Intonation as a framework for analysis, the CR discourse function differs from the rise and fall-rise of Standard Southern British English (SSBE) as described in Brazil (1985). The CR is a referring tone used to provide extra emphasis on important information and create a more cooperative and supportive tone. The form and function of the CR are examined in relation to Standard Southern British English (SSBE, 1985) and other varieties of World Englishes. The results indicate that duration and pitch range of the CR are significantly different from the standard rise.