Universal 999:

Universal 999:

Original

Terminal intonations are almost universally low or falling for finality and assertion, and high or rising for the opposite, including yes-no questions.

Standardized

IF the illocutionary force is finality and assertion, THEN terminal intonation is low or falling.
IF the illocutionary force is non-finality or non-assertion, THEN terminal intonation is high or rising.

Keywords

intonation, illocutionary force

Domain

phonology, semantics

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

almost absolute

Basis

41 languages in Bolinger 1978, supplementing a 53 language sample from Ultan 1969, and a 175 language survey from Hermann 1942

Source

Bolinger 1978: 472

Counterexamples

Zuni (isolate) may have no pitch-marking of questions. It appears to have an invariable terminal fall. See the Raritätenkabinett for more exceptions.