Culture · 6 pages · 12 min

How tone changes a word in a tonal language

In a tonal language the pitch pattern is part of the word, not only part of the mood.

I understand the following: I can download a file of this brief, and I can also read it in the library on this browser. Clearing the cache or cookies deletes the library copy. The file must be downloaded for access to be retained.

When the purchase is complete, return to the original window. It will refresh.

From the opening

In a tonal language the pitch pattern on a syllable is part of the word itself. Change the tone and you can change the morpheme even when the consonants and vowels stay the same. The opening covers pitch can change the morpheme, mandarin ma splits into different words, and sandhi alters the surface pitch.

The rest of the brief — the later sections and the reading notes — opens after Stripe confirms payment.

Inside

Pitch can change the morpheme
Mandarin ma splits into different words
Sandhi alters the surface pitch
Intonation still rides on top
Where the idea stops applying
A distinction worth keeping

Sources

Lexical tone contrasts on Mandarin syllables
Third-tone sandhi changing surface pitch

05How a rumor keeps its shapeCulture26 min$18 08What an apology has to containCulture24 min$15 13Why a language borrows a wordCulture24 min$13

How tone changes a word in a tonal language

From the opening

Inside

Sources

Also on the desk