Perception of the question tune in Guanzhong Mandarin

Abstract

This study investigates the perception of the question tune in Guanzhong Mandarin and the interaction between tone and tune using the AX paradigm. Our findings reveal a complex interplay between lexical tones and question tunes, in which when the lexical tone is rising, it is more difficult to perceive question tunes. Furthermore, the research argues that the question tune retrieval requires extra working memory load and cognitive processing, because of the tune information brought by a high register and a high boundary tone.