降调的种类

A Classification of Falling Tones

降调是声调系统中最为常见的拱形,可对它的区别性类型从未有过全面深入的研究。本文以调域、长度、高度、拱度四参数声调模型来考察降调类型。首先提出一个"纯低调"的调型概念,涵盖低降、低平、低凹、低升、嘎裂凹调等以[+low]为区别特征的拱形。然后辨认出六型出现在中域的降调拱形:高降、低降、微降、短降、高弯降和低凸降。其中四型还出现于低域:弛声高长凸降(弯降变体)、弛声低短凸降、弛声低降、嘎裂高降。用于区分降调的区别特征有五对:调域[±RgM],拱度[±直],长度[±长],高度[±高],再拱度[±斜]。单域中最多三个降调,双域中可有四个降调。

Although the falling tone is the commonest contour type in tone languages, its distinctive types have never been seriously studied before. This paper examines falling tone types in the Multi-Register and Four-Level tonal model with four parameters： register, length, pitch height and contour. First, a category of ＇pure low tone＇ （PLT） is set up. It includes various contours sharing the same distinctive feature of [＋low]： low falling, low level, low dipping, low rising, and creaky dipping. Then six Rg M falling tone types are identified： high falling, low falling, slight falling, short falling, delayed falling and depressed falling. Four of them also occur in Rg L： high falling with creaky voice, delayed falling with slack voice, depressed falling with slack voice, and low falling with slack voice. Five pairs of distinctive features are called for in classifying falling tones： [±RgM], [±straight], [±long], [±high] and [±slop]. There are at most three falling tones in a single register and up to four in two registers.