Verb paradigm in Tomo Kan Dogon: interconnections of polypredicative constructions, grammaticalization, and tonology

The paper deals with the grammaticalization problems in Tomo Kan (Dogon family, Niger-Congo) and, in particular, with the diachronic relationship of polypredicative constructions and TAM markers. Dogon languages are characterized by TAM systems that seem to be dia-chronically unstable since markers with a similar range of meanings go back to different lexi-cal sources in different languages of the family. TAM markers are apparently associated with polypredicative constructions, which are very common in Dogon and preserve some of their morphosyntactic properties. At the same time, Dogon languages are characterized by complex tonal changes triggered not only by phonological context but also by the syntactic position of constituents. These tonal changes, frequently referred to as tonosyntax, accompany the formation of polypredicative constructions and other syntactic phenomena. A thorough inves-tigation of Tomo Kan TAM markers shows their tonosyntactic properties to resemble those of polypredicative constructions. Moreover, assuming that tonosyntax of polypredicative con-structions triggers certain tonal contour overlays, one can account for tonal alternations ob-served in TAM forms which would have been left otherwise unexplained. However, the anal-ysis also reveals that at least two classes of TAM forms must be distinguished in Tomo Kan: one of them inherits the tonosyntax of polypredicative constructions while the other does not. A hypothesis is put forward that the latter class has a different source of grammaticalization and is probably associated with verb stem incorporation rather than with polypredication. Methodologically, the paper shows a critical role of tonology in the analysis of grammaticalization processes in tonal languages.

Tonal Contour Generation for Isarn Speech Synthesis Using Deep Learning and Sampling-Based F0 Representation

The modeling of fundamental frequency (F0) in speech synthesis is a critical factor affecting the intelligibility and naturalness of synthesized speech. In this paper, we focus on improving the modeling of F0 for Isarn speech synthesis. We propose the F0 model for this based on a recurrent neural network (RNN). Sampled values of F0 are used at the syllable level of continuous Isarn speech combined with their dynamic features to represent supra-segmental properties of the F0 contour. Different architectures of the deep RNNs and different combinations of linguistic features are analyzed to obtain conditions for the best performance. To assess the proposed method, we compared it with several RNN-based baselines. The results of objective and subjective tests indicate that the proposed model significantly outperformed the baseline RNN model that predicts values of F0 at the frame level, and the baseline RNN model that represents the F0 contours of syllables by using discrete cosine transform.

Nuer Tonal inventory

The tonal system of Nuer has been a matter of much uncertainty. Here we present empirical evidence in favor of a three toneme system with some typologically rare features. One of them is an intriguing case of allotony based on the phonation of the vowel: the High toneme has a falling allotone over modal vowels. Moreover, the Rising toneme has four allotones: a rising, a mid, a low and a falling allotone. The falling allotone of the Rising toneme also occurs only on modal vowels in specific contexts. We suggest that some of the allotonic variation is motivated by tonal contour simplification. We also point out the role of free variation in some of the allotonic alternations, and the constraints that put limits on the free variation between allotones.

FOCALIZATION AS LINGUISTIC PHENOMENON

The article reveals the principal notions of focalization, its functions and features (emphasis and contrast) and their influence on transforming the model of the prosodic structure of the actual division of the utterance. Most frequently, focalization of a text fragment is prosodically expressed with a high register and extension of the tonal range, a raised loudness and a distinct pronunciation. It is established that one of the most well-known factors of the transformation of the prototype prosodic model is the listener’s focus on the most important aspects of the message, the conveyance of the semantic interaction of the message’s specific aspects. Focalization is interwoven with the both possible manifestations of this function: logical stress (in case of the opposition of words) or emphatic stress is implemented by its means. Regarding the changes in the tone direction, it should be noted that this tonal feature does not participate directly in forming an intonation model of the discourse’s focalized structures. It has been observed that there exists a certain modification of the tonal contour formed under the influence of the illocutionary and phase factors and certain types of the subjective-modal meanings. Key words: emphasis, opposition, focalization, actual division of the utterance, theme, rheme.

What do compounds and noun phrases tell us about tonal targets in Finnish?

This article compares three accounts of Finnish intonation using a perception experiment with manipulated f0 contours. The experiment involved compound/noun phrase minimal pairs differing in f0 pattern. To address the question of tonal specification, manipulations changed f0 contours of recorded compound words, associating them with f0 patterns having different components of the naturally occurring f0 rise-fall contour. Thus, the study investigated which tonal targets were crucial for the perception of a complete tonal contour inducing a noun phrase interpretation. Results suggested that the falling part of the rise-falls, modelled as realisations of a high and a following low target, was essential. They furthermore revealed evidence for these targets being associated with prosodic phrases, as well as for Finnish tonal targets being characterised by a flexibility that contrasts with accent realisations in languages like English.

Högt och lågt i skandinaviska dialekter

The typology of Scandinavian dialects is based on prosodic features, namely tone and intonation. We look at three variables that account for the variation between the large dialect groups: 1. The value of the lexical tone in accent 2, 2. Whether there is one or two association points for the tonal contour in compounds, and 3. Whether there is spreading or interpolation between the lexical tone and the prominence tone in compounds. The relevance of these variables is illustrated by comparisons of real pronunciations from several dialects, including Olso (East Norwegian), Göteborg (West Swedish), Stockholm (Central Swedish), Norberg (Dala Swedish), Skåne (South Swedish), and Luleå (North Swedish).

Tonal Representation of Chinese Wenzhou Dialect

This paper centers on tonal representation of Chinese Wenzhou dialect. Tonal behaviors in Wenzhou indicate that tone is on an independent tier to the segment. Also, because of the complex of register and contour, Chinese tones have been represented with a structure of two dimensions, i.e. register and contour. However, these representations present an insolvable dilemma when analyzing the tonal behavior of Wenzhou dialect. Noticing that tone sandhi in Wenzhou is totally blind to register, we will propose that register is not an underlying feature for Wenzhou tone. We will further suggest that it is the initial consonant that carries the feature of register. This paper will conclude that the tonal representation of Wenzhou dialect has only one level, the tonal contour is formed by concatenation of level tones, and initial consonants carry the burden of meaning distinction that “tonal register” is supposed to carry.