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In many, so-called [[tone | In many, so-called [[tone language]]s, a difference in [[pitch]] is used to distinguish lexical items. In such languages tone is a [[distinctive feature]]. The most common opposition is that between a high and a low tone. But also three- or four-way tonal distinctions occur in languages. A high tone is usually indicated with an acute (tá) and a low tone with a grave (tà). | ||
=== Example === | === Example === | ||
in Margi we find the following lexical items: | in [[Margi]] we find the following lexical items: | ||
(i) shú 'tail' | (i) shú 'tail' | ||
Revision as of 10:42, 10 June 2009
In many, so-called tone languages, a difference in pitch is used to distinguish lexical items. In such languages tone is a distinctive feature. The most common opposition is that between a high and a low tone. But also three- or four-way tonal distinctions occur in languages. A high tone is usually indicated with an acute (tá) and a low tone with a grave (tà).
Example
in Margi we find the following lexical items:
(i) shú 'tail'
shù 'to dry up'
Also we may find so-called contour tones, i.e. a high and a low tone realized on the same vowel. We distinguish between a rising tone (te) and a falling tone (tà). Contour tones are often analysed as complex tones. See tone stability.
Links
Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics
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