“What”: Exclamation or Question
Depends on the circumstance
But if you hear the tone right
You could definitely take a chance.
There’s a tone for the exclamation
And a tone for the question
And if you listen carefully
You can determine the intonation.
“What” when
it comes as a question
Carries a deadpan irritability
Somewhat like, “Okay what now?
Can’t you see I am busy?”
As a question too it could intone
“I didn’t quite hear what you said.”
And if you want the person to repeat
Just simply say, “What”
instead.
But “What”
with an exclamation
Could indicate incredulity,
That “What”
says, “I don’t believe you’
There’s no such possibility.”
This “What”
has a high-pitched tone
With an exaggerated inflection,
Such a “What” can mean excitement
Or indicate total rejection.
“What” is a
one-word sentence
Indicating a question or exclamation,
To distinguish the one from the other
Acknowledge the intonation.
It’s a trend in communication
Sometimes it’s not even a word,
Just the sound or intonation
Gives meaning to what is heard.
It is like after reading this poem
Your “What”
will indicate incredulity:
“Can’t he do anything better
With his time and ability?”
My “What”
would be, “Repeat the question
I really did not hear.
There was some noise in the channel
And your comment was not fair.”
Stewart Russell © September 2018
