What does the breath group theory propose?

The breath group theory proposes that in the context of speech production, the fundamental frequency (Fo) pattern within a spoken phrase can be characterized by a specific structure. According to this theory, the tonal contour consists of a flat preterminal Fo segment followed by a terminal portion that indicates the completion of a thought or phrase. This suggests that speakers often maintain a stable pitch level as they build up to the end of a phrase, at which point the pitch may drop or change significantly, signaling to listeners that the speaker is concluding their thought.

This theory reflects the way speakers use breath control to manage their speech and intonation patterns, emphasizing the importance of breathing in naturally dictating the rhythm and pitch of spoken language. The flat preterminal aspect can also reflect a steady state in voice that occurs while the speaker is actively engaged in delivering their message, and the terminal portion typically conveys meaning such as finality or punctuation. This understanding of the breath group as a functional unit in speech can help in analyzing intonation and prosody in spoken language.