Syntax and Tone in African languages

在非洲有许多声调语言。与亚洲声调语言相比，非洲声调语言的特点是词汇功能低，语法功能高。因此，例如，许多班图语仅通过音调来区分时态/体，并且关系从句有时仅通过音调来呈现。加纳的阿坎语仅用声调表达属格结构。声调的这些词汇功能应被视为非洲声调语言的重要特征。

In Africa a number of tone languages are spoken. The characteristics of African tone languages are that lexical function is low but grammatical function is high in comparison to Asian tone languages. Thus, for example, many Bantu languages distinguish tenses/aspects by tone alone, and relative clauses are sometimes rendered by tone alone. Akan of Ghana expresses genitive constructions by tone alone. These lexical functions of tone should be recognized as important characteristics of African tone languages.