The Rising tone-pattern

Contour 1. High/Stepping Head + High Narrow Rise

The strong interrogative force of this contour transforms any sentence-type into a question. It is
used in echo questions
1) to show surprise;
2) to gain time before answering;
3) to query some points (without criticizing) (подвергнуть сомнению);
4) to ask for a repetition if the speaker
 hasn’t heard the interlocutor’s words clearly
 wants to make sure he has heard correctly.

Contour 2. High/Stepping Head + Mid Wide Rise

It has a marked interrogative force, but as the feeling of surprise is weaker than in IC1, it is
mainly used in non-echo questions.
With a head it sounds businesslike and formal,
Without a head – casual, light, tentative (неопределенно, неуверенно).

Contour 3. High/Stepping Head + Low Wide Rise

It sounds warm, friendly, encouraging/interested, soothing/reassuring.

The Type of utterance With a head No head
Statements very lively non-categoric
friendly encouraging further
warm conversation
soothing (успокаивающий)
reassuring (утешительный)
Echoes questioning with a note of surprise and
disbelief
Special questions interested puzzled
warm
friendly
General questions genuinely interested casual
=sincerely light
warm
friendly
Imperatives soothing
encouraging
calmly patronizing (спокойно, хладнокровно, невозмутимо ;
относиться свысока, покровительственно, снисходительно)
Exclamations airy (воздушный, лёгкий; грациозный, весёлый)
bright (радостный, сияющий от счастья = radiant, beaming)
friendly

Contour 4. Low Head/Stepping Level Head (low-pitched) + Low Narrow Rise

The pre-head and the head are both low-pitched!

Sounds casual, disapproving, reserved.
The Type of utterance The Modal meaning
Statements monosyllabic ( yes, now) encouraging further conversation
guarded (осторожный)
 longer utterances casual (несерьёзный,
легкомысленный)
perfunctory - (поверхностный,
безразличный, неглубокий,
незаинтересованный (о
человеке); небрежный,
невнимательный, поверхностный,
формальный)
reserving judgment
disapproving
Special questions with the nucleus on the wondering (удивленный)
interrogative word mildly puzzled (озадаченный, в
замешательстве, затруднении,
недоумении)
otherwise very calm
rather disapproving
General questions very casual
disapproving
critical
Imperatives casual
reserved (скрытный, сдержанный,
замкнутый, необщительный,
неразговорчивый) = reticent ,
secretive , aloof , cold , distant ,
uncommunicative
Exclamations expresses calm, casual
acknowledgement признание
достоверным что-то;
благодарность, признательность;