Intonation in Tone Languages: A Comparative Study of Mandarin, Yoruba, and Cantonese

摘要：本基金提供设备，使研究者能够比较三种声调语言：普通话、约鲁巴语和粤语的语调。在这三种语言中，FO轮廓都可以用稀疏放置的音调目标来近似。汉语的声调通常有两个目标，分别放在押韵的开头和结尾。然而，升调的第一个目标被推迟到押韵的中心。对约鲁巴音调目标位置的创新分析大大简化了约鲁巴音调音系学。约鲁巴语的每个音调都有一个单一的目标。H（高）和L（低）的目标对齐押韵的末尾，但M（id）的目标对齐押韵的开头。这种对齐自动解释了传统上由语音规则处理的“传播”现象。调性目标标度的数据证实，全球下行趋势可以看作是多种因素的综合。相似目标序列中的偏音效应在L序列中最强，在H序列中较小，最后的降低也最强，影响到最后的音节。催化（下行）仅限于交替的L - H序列。降低的量取决于L目标的音高水平。而中色调则没有很强的诱导作用。

ABSTRACTS This grant provides equipment to enable the investigators to compare the intonation of three tone languages: Mandarin, Yoruba, and Cantonese. In all three languages, FO contours can be approximated with sparsely placed tonal targets. Chinese tones typically have two targets, placed at the beginning and the end of the rhyme. However, the first target of a rising tone is delayed to the center of the rhyme. An innovative analysis of Yoruba tonal target placement drastically simplifies Yoruba tonal phonology. Each tone in Yoruba has a single target. H(igh) and L(ow) targets are aligned with the end of the rhyme, but M(id) target is aligned with the beginning. This alignment automatically accounts for the 'spreading' phenomenon traditionaly handled by a phonological rule. Data on the scaling of tonal target confirms that global downtrend can be viewed as the combination of many factors. Declination effect found in sequence of like targets is strongest in L sequence and less in H sequence, so is final lowering, which affects the final syllable. Catathesis (downstep) is restricted to alternating L H sequence. The amount of lowering depends on the pitch level of the L target. Mid tones, however, do not have strong catathesis effect.