Cat_ToBI
labeling system

The uses of Cat_ToBI

Description
of the system

Prosodic phrasing

Tonal
representation

Boundary tones

Final boundary tones at a break indice of level 4:


L%

M%

H%

HH%

LH%

LM%

HL%

LHL%

Final boundary tones at a break indice of level 3:



L-

M-

H-


HH-

LH-

LHL-

Initial boundary tones:



%H

HH%


HH% is manifested phonetically as a very sharp rising pitch movement at the end of the phrase, often attaining a very high frequency in the speaker’s range.

It is found at the end of rising yes-no questions and echo questions.

Examples

Example 1: Neutral rising yes-no question

Voleu una mandarina?
[Do you want a mandarin?]


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Example 2: Inviting rising yes-no question

Voleu una mandarina?
[Do you want a mandarin?]


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Example 3: Alternative polar question

(Què vols?) Gelat de vainilla o gelat d’avellana?
[(What would you like?) Vanilla ice cream or hazelnut ice cream?]


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