Abstract:

Learning a foreign language for business communication is inextricably linked with the formation of correct pronunciation and intonation of speech.

This is predetermined by the following reasons:
• intonation performs a pragmatic function - it reflects the intentions of the speaker, takes part in speech impact;
• ignorance of the basic intonational contours of English speech and its incorrect intonational design may lead to a communicative failure - the statements can be regarded as rude and inappropriate to the communicative intentions.

The purpose of the article is to describe the types of errors in the prosodic realisation of speech on the basis of economic discourse.

The main method used in the work was auditory analysis of oral speech. The choice of this method is explained by practical work with 1-3 year students majoring in economics in the framework of an English business communication course.

It is known that when the intonation of one language is applied to another language, it can make mutual understanding difficult and often creates problems in the process of verbal communication. As practice has shown, the main intonation mistakes of Russian-speaking students are related to various types of questions: there is a falling tone at the end of the genaral question, rising intonation is applied at the end of tag questions, a rising tone at the end of the alternative question.

There is also a transfer of prosodic models from the Russian language into foreign one in affirmative sentences. The descending ending in the English language is more sharp than in the Russian language as the fall comes from a higher pitch than in Russian.

As practical work shows, two types of errors are identified in pronunciation of some intonation units:
(1) errors associated with the replacement of one intonation contour with another unsuitable for the communicative situation that lead to misunderstanding between the interlocutors and
(2) an incorrect, distorted realisation of the intonation contour.

The author comes to the conclusion that the knowledge of the basic intonation contours of the English language helps students more seamlessly implement the communicative aim of speech and achieve a perlocutive goal. In this connection further research can involve designing a methodology for introducing the basics of phonetics and prosody of the English language in the course of language for specific purposes, especially at the initial stage of training.

Keywords:

Phonetics, prosody, economic doscorse, pragmatics, teaching methods.