The Form and Use of Uptalk in Southern California English

This study examines the phonetics, phonology and pragmatic function of uptalk, utterance-?nal rising

pitch movements, as used in Southern Californian English. Twelve female and eleven male speakers were

recorded in a variety of tasks. Instances of uptalk were coded for discourse function (statement, question,

con?rmation request, ?oor holding) based on context. The excursion of the pitch rise and the distance

of the rise start from the onset of the utterance’s last stressed vowel were also measured. Con?rmation

requests and ?oor holding showed variable realization. Questions, on the other hand, showed a rise

that typically started within the stressed vowel and had a large pitch excursion, while uptalk used with

statements exhibited both a smaller pitch excursion and a later rise that often started after vowel o?set.

This pattern suggests that statements have a L* L-H% melody while questions have L* H-H%. Gender

di?erences were also found: female speakers used uptalk more often than males, and showed greater pitch

excursion and later alignment, all else being equal. Other social parameters, however, such as social class

and linguistic background did not a?ect the use of uptalk.