A Classification of Falling Tones

Although the falling tone is the commonest contour type in tone languages,its distinctive types have never been seriously studied before.This paper examines falling tone types in the Multi-Register and Four-Level tonal model with four parameters: register,length,pitch height and contour.First,a category of ‘pure low tone’(PLT) is set up.It includes various contours sharing the same distinctive feature of [+low]: low falling,low level,low dipping,low rising,and creaky dipping.Then six Rg M falling tone types are identified: high falling,low falling,slight falling,short falling,delayed falling and depressed falling.Four of them also occur in Rg L: high falling with creaky voice,delayed falling with slack voice,depressed falling with slack voice,and low falling with slack voice.Five pairs of distinctive features are called for in classifying falling tones: [±RgM],[±straight],[±long],[±high] and [±slop].There are at most three falling tones in a single register and up to four in two registers.