Seeking rules about adding grammar-based pauses in spoken English?

Question

I believe the following topic is in the scope of the site: Pronunciation/phonology, more specifically: how sound is structured for conveying linguistic meaning. I am seeking rules about where to place grammar-based pauses in a sentence when speaking (besides pauses at commas and semicolons) to resolve ambiguity in the sentence, to improve clarity, and consequently to convey a more meaningful message to audiences. Take the well-known example: I saw a girl with the telescope. The ambiguity: does the preposition "with" refer to the object "girl" (girl with the telescope) or to the verb "saw" (saw with the telescope). Putting a pause in speech between "girl" and "with" separates them, and makes "with" dependent on "saw", resolving the ambiguity. I saw a girl | with the telescope. On the other hand, a pause between "saw" and "a girl" separates them and makes "with" dependent on "girl", resolving the ambiguity the other way. I saw | a girl with the telescope. Adding grammar-based pauses applies not only to extreme examples like this, but to public speaking in general, for more clear and effective speaking. Does anyone know about any books, articles, or instruction on general rules for adding grammar-based pauses in speech - preferably available on the Internet?

Answer 1

This is a good question. I think there are two issues at play:

1) the example you provided has a dangling phrase. In other words, as you’ve explained, the example is ambiguous because of the placement of phrase “with the telescope.” If it’s in a written composition, I would suggest a rewrite like: “While looking through the telescope, I saw a girl” (if this is the case). Or “I saw the girl who was carrying the telescope.”

2) In speech, presumably due to context and earlier cues, the meaning would seem to be clear so I’m not sure pauses would be necessary in that case. Still what your raise is an issue of enunciation and pacing. A quick google search netted this article, which has some good points (see #2 and #6): https://podiumconsulting.com/the-podium-project/2015/10/4/the-importance-of-pace-and-the-power-of-pause

Check our my profile and let me know if you have other questions. I am a broadcast journalist, public speaker and a CTM with Toastmasters International.

Hope that helps.

Jennifer K.