Contextual tonal variation in level tone languages.

Abstract

While contextual tonal variation in languages with contour tones has been well studied [Han and Kim (1974); Gandour (1992); Xu (1994)], contextual tonal variation has been less well-studied in level tone languages [Meyers (1976)]. The acoustic variation of tones due to different tonal contexts in Hausa, Bole (with two tones H and L) and Yoruba (with three tones H, M, and L) will be investigated. The description of cross-linguistic contextual tonal variation is essential for understanding the task that infants are undertaking in acquiring tonal categories in the face of variance in tonal realization. The focus of the investigation will be how the acoustic variation compares to that in languages with contour tones and if there are general patterns across languages or language-specific differences in variation.