Day 12 of 30 Days of Intonation: What else is new?

On Day 12 of 30 Days of Intonation, we're examining a question that can be tricky for non-native English speakers because it is often used sarcastically:

What else is new?

Let's start off by reviewing typical information question intonation. When the question is asked neutrally in order to express its literal meaning, you will use falling intonation, rising on the word "else" and falling from there.

In the video, you can hear that my intonation is light and friendly, which is how you can tell I'm not being sarcastic!

For extra clarity, you can add "with you" to the end of the question, emphasizing and stressing the word "you.”

This emphasizes that you are seriously interested in hearing the other person's news or updates. (This is why people also ask "what's new?")

When "What else is new?" is used sarcastically, it means that something happens frequently or is to be expected. Depending on your intonation, this can be positive or negative.

You can use the question with funny intonation to make fun of yourself for your typical habits or behavior.

Alternatively, you can use flat intonation to express annoyance or frustration, especially when complaining about politics, money, or work!

Keep in mind that it can be hard to hear and express sarcasm if you're a non-native speaker (and even for native speakers, at times - dry humor can be challenging to decipher).

My goal with explaining these distinctions is to help you identify the tone and emotions behind other people’s words. It's okay if you can't consistently produce it yourself.

That said, intonation can help you avoid misunderstandings. If your tone tends to be flat, you may sound more negative or annoyed than you intend.

I really want you to pick up on the lighter, more expressive intonation that can signal your genuine interest in an answer to this question.

Related Examples: