Haskins Publications

Number	260
Year	1978
Drawer	5
Entry Date	06/03/1999
Authors	Abramson, A. S.
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Publication	Language and Speech, 21, 319-325.
url	http://www.haskins.yale.edu/Reprints/HL0260.pdf
Abstract	Phonemic tones are conventionally classified into dynamic or contour tones & static or level tones. The perceptual relevance of this dichotomy is considered for Central Thai, which has two dynamic tones (falling & rising pitches) & three static tones (high, mid, & low). A fundamental-frequency (Fo) range appropriate to an adult M voice was used to synthesize three series of tonal variants on a syllable type available for five tonally differentiated words. The stimuli were played to native speakers for identification in three separate experiments (N = 37 for experiment 1, 31 for experiments 2 & 3). Results indicate that level variants contain sufficient cues for identification as static tones but with considerable overlap. Identification, however, is enhanced by slow Fo movement. Rapid Fo movement is required for dynamic tones. Thus, although it is imprecise, the typological dichotomy can be useful.
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