Universal 1670:

Original: In contiguous syllables, a contour tone may be more likely to appear if one of the two tones is low.
Standardized: IF one of the two tones in contiguous syllables is low, THEN a contour tone is more likely to appear than otherwise.
Keywords: tone, contour tone
Domain: prosodic phonology
Type: implication
Status: achronic
Quality: absolute
Basis: West African languages: Bolanci, Ga?anda, Hausa, Kanakuru (=Dera), Ngizim (all Chadic); Etsako (Edoid); Ewe, Twi (both Kwa); Gwari, Igbirra, Nupe (all Nupoid); Igbo (Igboid); Yoruba (Defoid); Fe?fe?, Kikuyu, Kinga, Mbui, Safwa, Sukuma, Tigong, Xhosa, Zulu (all Bantu); Kpelle, Mende (both Mande).
Source: Hyman & Schuh 1972: 14 [Hyman & Schuh 1974: 89]

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One Comment

FP

1. Thus, M-L develops into M-F, but H-M does not develop into a falling tone. 2. The contour tone always appears on the second syllable, due to the fact that tone spreading is a progressive or perserverative phenomenon rather than a regressive or anticipatory one.

1. May 2020

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