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This overview of phonology explores tonal distinctions in languages like Tsuut'ina, Ibibio, and Thai. It introduces the concepts of level and contour tones, illustrating how pitch variations are categorized. Level tones maintain a steady pitch, while contour tones exhibit significant pitch changes, such as rising and falling patterns. Examples from various languages highlight the practical implications of these tonal systems, including word meanings influenced by pitch. This investigation serves as a foundational guide to understanding language tones in linguistic studies.
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LING 303 Phonology I vw
Tone • [±upper register] • For convenience: • use H for [+upper register] • use L for [–upper register]
Vocal fold vibration Physical: Fundamental frequency (F0) rate of vibration of the vocal folds Perceptual: Pitch fundamental freq. perceived pitch [UCLA Phonetics Lab demo]
Dogrib • sénǫ̀htsį́į́ díídzę́ k̓é gók̓énédí. • ásìì házǫ́ǫ̀ ghá másí néts’ííhwhǫ́ • góétį́, gókǫ̀, gónék̓é, éyíts’ǫ́ • ásìì házǫǫ̀ wét’àts’éédàà • xį́ ghá • hótié kóót’é nį́dè
Ibibio • akpa ‘expanse of ocean’ • akpa ‘small ant’ • akpa ‘first’ • aku ‘priest’
Ibibio • ákp͡á ‘expanse of ocean’ • àkp͡à ‘small ant’ • àkp͡á ‘first’ • ákù ‘priest’
“level” vs. “contour” • Level tone: the pitch does not rise or fall very much during the pronunciation of the syllable. • Contour tone: the pitch rises and/or falls considerably during the production of the syllable.
Falling contour tone • Tsuut’ina (Sarcee): [tsʰûːt’ínà] • Ibibio: • ákp͡ân ‘square woven basket’ • àkp͡ɔ̂ ‘rubber tree’ • Thai: nâː ‘face’
Early studies of tone … used features for contours, e.g.: • [±falling] • [±rising]
Now, contour tones … are considered sequences of levels • falling: H + L • rising: L + H
Standard Chinese • má ‘mother’ • mǎ ‘hemp’ • mà ‘horse’ • mâ ‘scold’
Standard Chinese • má ‘mother’ H • mǎ ‘hemp’ LH • mà ‘horse’ L • mâ ‘scold’ HL
