An Introduction to French Pronunciation

152 Intonation
20.5 Wh-Questions
20.5.1 Wh-questions are those that cannot be answered by
‘yes’ or ‘no’ but which include a specific interrogative word
or expression enquiring about the identity of the subject or
direct or indirect object of the verb (who?, (to) whom?, (to)
what?, which?) or about the circumstances surrounding the
state, event, action, etc., indicated by the verb, such as time
(when?, which day?, etc.), place (where?, whence?, whither?, in
which drawer?, etc.), reason (why?, for what reason?, etc.),
manner (how?, in which way?, with what weapon?, etc.). It
is because nearly all the interrogative words concerned begin
in English with the letters wh- that questions of this type
have come to be known, sometimes even with reference to
languages other than English, as wh-questions.
20.5.2 Wh-questions are characterized by a falling intonation,
e.g.:
Où allez-vous?
Qui a dit cela?
Comment se porte-t-elle?
Que cherche ton père?
If there is more than one rhythmic group, each starts on a
higher pitch than the end of the preceding one, e.g.:
Quand a-t-il acheté | ce dictionnaire?
Pourquoi ton frère | ne vient-il pas?