An updated typology of tonal coarticulation properties

Chen, S., Wiltshire, C., & Li, B. (2018). An updated typology of tonal coarticulation properties. Taiwan Journal of Linguistics, 16(2), 79-114. https://doi.org/10.6519/TJL.2018.16(2).3

Abstract

This study examines tonal coarticulation in Nanjing Chinese, and compares and contrasts its properties with those reported for other languages. Although many languages show similar characteristics, recent examinations of some languages have contradicted generalizations derived from previous findings. This study utilised descriptive statistics, linear mixed effects models, and Pearson’s correlation to explore the properties of tonal coarticulation in Nanjing Chinese. The results conflict with previous generalizations that carryover effects are greater than anticipatory effects. Nanjing Chinese shows a similar magnitude in these two effects, as does Malaysian Hokkein (Chang and Hsieh 2012). Moreover, in Nanjing Chinese and Malaysian Hokkein, there are no consistent results for H/L asymmetry as has been reported for other languages. These diverging findings warrant further study to enhance our understanding of the universality of tonal coarticulation properties. Based on the findings thus far, we present an updated typology of the known properties of tonal coarticulation.

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