Marked intonation as a phonological metaphor: A systemic functional approach

Robert Veltman interpreted marked intonation as a phonological metaphor, drawing an analogy to the grammatical metaphor. However, since then, the concept of phonological metaphor has not received significant scholarly attention. In this context, based on Gerard O'Grady's stratification model where intonation is located at the content plane, and notional comparison of “Unmarked/marked” and “Congruent/metaphorical”, the current paper examines whether and how marked intonation works as a metaphor. It argues that marked intonation parallels grammatical metaphor with the functional mechanism of inter-stratal tension as it carries metaphorical properties of “poly-form” (i.e. one meaning maps to more than one form) and “poly-seme” (i.e. one form maps to more than one meaning) when seen respectively from above and below. The paper further demonstrates the use of marked tone within a conservation video, illustrating how it conveys interpersonal meanings akin to the grammatical metaphor of mood. In conclusion, marked intonation serves as a phonological metaphor at the content plane. This study explores the emerging area of phonological metaphor and probably contributes to expanding the framework of metaphor in Systemic Functional Grammar which addresses a core issue in the interplay between form and meaning.