Abstract

AKINLABI, Akinbiyi; AHOUA, Firmin  and  GONDO, Bleu Gildas. On five-level tone contrasts: The case of Dan-Gblewo. SPiL plus (Online) [online]. 2022, vol.62, pp.35-50. ISSN 2224-3380.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5842/62-2-908.

The central goal of this research is to propose that no language utilizes more than four level pitches contrastively (from low to high). The central question is whether a five- or six-way contrast represents five or six level tones, or a combination of level tones, contour tones, voice quality, and syllable type. We argue that Dan-Gblewo operates a four-level-plus-creaky-voice system rather than a five-level tone system. We show that Dan must be analysed as such from the empirical, experimental, and theoretical perspectives.

Keywords : tonal contrast; voice quality; creaky voice; Dan-Gblewo.

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