A Phonetic Typology of Consonant-Tone Interaction

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K02641
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Linguistics
• Research Institution: International Christian University
• Principal Investigator: Lee Seunghun 国際基督教大学, 教養学部, 准教授 (20770134)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: tone / phonetics / Bantu / Japanese

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This project has investigated the relationship between consonants and tone in southern Bantu languages and Japanese. Data collection using phonetic methods was conducted in South Africa and Japan. Analysis was done using data obtained with equipment designed for observing the vocal folds vibration. Results show that the production of consonants affects how pitch height is realized in all languages. Even so, in languages with consonant-tone interaction, production does not always result in a perceptability of the production contrast.

Free Research Field

言語学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This project explored the consonant-tone interaction in southern Bantu languages and Japanese. Results show that speakers may not perceive a contrast even though they produce the phonetic differences, showcasing near mergers. The society may benefit from this research for pronunciation education.