语调音系学与AM理论综论

A Survey of Intonational Phonology and AM Theory

1980年代,随着AM理论的出现,语调正式成为音系学的研究对象。该理论提出,音高曲调和相对突显这两个语调特征在语句中的分布均受韵律结构所制约,在研究方法上则借助基本平调H与L之间的二级对立,将其组合为具有特定形状及重音模式的音高事件,并通过音调映射规则在语调的音系与语音层面之间建立了有机的联系。

Since 1980,on the basis of autosegmental phonology and metrical phonology,a new theoretical framework on intonational studies,namely,the AM theory,has come into being,within which,intonation has formally become a research object of phonology.In comparison with the traditional intonational studies,the AM theory is most featured by its observation that intonational features of tune and relative prominence are distributed in utterances in ways allowed by the prosodic structure,and methodologically also by its use of two primitive level tones H and L to form pitch events of various shapes and stress patterns.Pitch accents and boundary tones are distinguished,providing phonological representation for English intonation,Furthermore,they can be mapped to the F0 contour through specific tone mapping rules,thus offering an organic link between the phonological level and the phonetic level of intonation.