Deutsche Intonation: Formen und Funktionen

This paper discusses German intonation and specifically pitch (F0) and pitch contour considering both functional (phonological) and formal (phonetic) aspects. Universal functional characteristics are put in relation with language-specific characteristics; the analysis is performed in a specific contrastive (here: German-Italian) perspective. The paper aims at showing the interaction between phonetic forms and phonological functions of German intonation and to point out similarities and differences between German and Italian. These are particularly relevant in intercultural communication between Gernman and Italian speakers and in GFL-courses in Italy.