Isn’t it strange how newscasters seem to talk in acutely exaggerated tones? A normal phrase turns into a bizarre collection of accents, stresses, and pauses:
“a section of main street IS ::with eyebrows:: back open for the first time since this morning’s accident but investigators still have A LOT ::dramatic pause:: to figure out.”
This research article on speech suggests “listeners interpret higher peaks associated with a mentioned item as conveying greater informational prominence.”
So it’s a trick to insinuate urgency and distinction even when the statements are actually boring and uninteresting? I can believe that.
Unfortunately, now that I hear it – I can’t stop hearing it.