A phonological model for intonation without low tone
Using the evidence of intonational phenomena drawn mainly from English, I propose a phonological model for intonation characterised by a single tone (T), and boundaries of domains as Tone Bearing Units (TBUs). Such domains reflect the organisation of information in terms of intonation, that is, they constitute the manifestation of intonational focus. In addition, their existence is formalised in terms of some licensing principles. In the framework of a restrictive theory of phonological representation, I argue that intonational pitch patterns can be accounted for with just T, and that L can be discarded. I defend this claim against evidence from earlier models which have recourse to L in the account of an extensive range of intonation contours, and of tonal phenomena such as contour-tones, tone-spreading, and downstep. Contour-tones are defined by assigning different pitch specifications (presence/absence of T) to TBUs. Tone-spreading is treated as a matter of interpolation between boundaries with equal tonal association. Downstep is accounted for by the presence of toneless boundaries which correspond to empty nuclei. The phonetic interpretation of such nuclei (and toneless boundaries in general) is controlled
Cabrera-Abreu, Mercedes
Linguistics
A phonological model for intonation without low tone. Using the evidence of intonational phenomena drawn mainly from English, I propose a phonological model for intonation characterised by a single tone (T), and boundaries of domains as Tone Bearing Units (TBUs). Such domains reflect the organisation of information in terms of intonation, that is, they constitute the manifestation of intonational focus. In addition, their existence is formalised in terms of some licensing principles. In the framework of a restrictive theory of phonological representation, I argue that intonational pitch patterns can be accounted for with just T, and that L can be discarded. I defend this claim against evidence from earlier models which have recourse to L in the account of an extensive range of intonation contours, and of tonal phenomena such as contour-tones, tone-spreading, and downstep. Contour-tones are defined by assigning different pitch specifications (presence/absence of T) to TBUs. Tone-spreading is treated as a matter of interpolation between boundaries with equal tonal association. Downstep is accounted for by the presence of toneless boundaries which correspond to empty nuclei. The phonetic interpretation of such nuclei (and toneless boundaries in general) is controlled
phonological model intonation without low tone using evidence intonational phenomenon draw_mainly english propose phonological model intonation characterise single tone boundaries domain tone bearing units domain reflect organisation information term intonation constitute manifestation intonational focus addition existence formalise term license principle framework restrictive theory phonological_representation argue intonational pitch pattern account discard defend_claim evidence earlier model recourse account extensive range intonation contour tonal phenomenon contour tone contour define assign different pitch specification presence_absence tone treat matter boundary equal tonal association account presence boundary correspond empty nucleus phonetic interpretation nucleus boundary general control