Cat_ToBI
labeling system

The uses of Cat_ToBI

Description
of the system

Prosodic phrasing

Tonal
representation

Pitch accents


H*


L*

H+L*


L*+H


L+H*


L+>H*


L+¡H*

 

How to discriminate between L+>H* and L+H*

L+>H*

This pitch accent is phonetically realized as a rising pitch movement. Typically, the L tone is aligned with the onset of the accented syllable, and the H tone is aligned with the postaccentual syllable.

L+H*

This pitch accent is phonetically realized as a rising pitch movement during the accented syllable. The rise starts at the onset of the accented syllable and ends at the end of that syllable.

Example 1:
L+>H*

Example 2:
L+H*

Ho demana a la Maria.
[(S)he is asking Mary.]

Demana-ho a la Maria!
[Ask Mary!]

click to enlarge

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Explanations

These two examples are two similar sentences, but the illocutionary force is different: the first is a broad focus statement, and the second one a strong command.

In the broad focus statement, the prenuclear accent is L+>H*: the pitch rises during the accented syllable but the peak occurs in the next syllable.

In the strong command, the prenuclear accent is L+H*: the pitch rises during the accented syllable and the peak is aligned with the end of this syllable.

Both pitch accents are realized as a rise during the accented syllable, but they differ on the alignment of the peak.

For more arguments in favor of the analysis of the L+>H* pitch accent, see Prieto, D’Imperio & Gili-Fivela (2005).