Consonant types and tone in Siamese

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an acoustical investigation of the effects of various consonant types on the tone of a following vowel in Siamese. In general, it is found that after voiceless obstruents, the fundamental frequency contour is relatively high and falling in transition to the following vowel; after voiced obstruents, the fundamental frequency contour is relatively low and rising (− falling). It is also found that the initial fundamental frequency value after the release of a voiceless unaspirated stop is higher than for a homorganic voiceless aspirated stop. For the voiceless aspirated stops, “plain” and “breathy” allophones are found that exhibit different effects on the tone of the following vowel. Implications for theories of pitch production and diachronic tonal development are discussed.