This paper attempts to identify some of the reasons for problems in American-British communication, particularly in the use of intonational contours by male and female speakers. One major contrast between British and American speech is found in the use of heads. Rising heads seem to be more frequent in British English, whereas a neutral head is more prevalent in American speech. The British rising head is interpreted by Americans as a tone used with children, while the rising head in American speech is used to show doubt, and is used mostly by women. The British falling nuclei convey either hostility or involvement (the Low Drop and the High Drop, respectively), whereas in American English this is true only for women. The low drop in American English is often a pleasant pattern, without the negative implications associated with the British pattern. An upglided nucleus is rare in American male speech, but more common in American female speech. Since rising nuclei are common in both men's and women's speech in British English, that could account for the fact that British men often sound effeminate to Americans. These and other tentative findings could be important factors in the English as a second language classroom. (AM)