Sp_ToBI
labeling system

The uses of Sp_ToBI

Description
of the system

Prosodic phrasing

Tonal
representation

Boundary tones

Final boundary tones at a break indice of level 4:



L%

M%

HH%

LH%

LM%

HL%

LHL%

Final boundary tones at a break indice of level 3:



L-

M-

H-

HH-

LH-

HL-

LHL-

M%



M% is manifested phonetically as a falling movement to a mid tone target or as a mid level plateau when it occurs after a high tone (the mid tone may spread to the left).

It is found in pedagogic enumerations, in hesitation statements, in polite yes-no questions and in stylized vocatives. In this last case, it is normally accompanied by a lengthening of the last syllable and is realized as a sustained mid tone.

Examples

Example 1: Pedagogic enumeration

Estaban María, Bárbara, Ana, Eva...
[There were María, Bárbara, Ana, Eva...]


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Example 2: Vocative

¡Bobi!
[Bobi!]


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Example 3: Hesitation statement

Puede que no le guste el regalo que le he comprado...
[S/He might not like what I bought for him/her]


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Example 4: Polite yes-no question

Hola, ¿tiene mermelada?
[Do you have marmelade?]


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