3.6: Tone Change
Tone Charts
|
Original Tone |
Written as: |
Changed Tone |
Written as: |
|
Tone 1: Middle Flat |
a¹ |
Tone 1: Middle Flat |
a¹ |
|
Tone 2: Rising |
á² |
Tone 7: Low |
ǎ²⁷ |
|
Tone 3: Low |
ǎ³ |
Tone 4: Falling |
à³⁴ |
|
|
|
Tone 2: Rising |
á⁴² |
|
Tone 5: High Flat |
ā⁵ |
Tone 7: Low |
ǎ⁵⁷ |
|
Tone 6: Falling/High Checked |
à⁶, ā |
Tone 8: Low Checked |
ǎ⁶⁸ |
|
Tone 7: Low |
ǎ⁷ |
Tone 7: Low |
ǎ⁷ |
|
Tone 8: Low Checked |
ǎ⁸ |
Tone 6: Falling/High Checked |
à⁸⁶, ā⁸⁶ |
These are the charts for Singaporean Hokkien and Teochew tones in the traditional system and Singlor Pengim.
You can also watch these videos on tones by Writing in Hokkien and learnteochew, speakers of Singaporean Hokkien and Teochew. Note that Writing in Hokkien uses POJ/Tai-lo tones, and learnteochew uses Guangdong Peng'im tones. These systems follow the traditional tone system.
Following this, I will be explaining every tone one by one, following the Singlor Pengim system, but also showing the traditional equivalent.
Tone 1 - Middle Flat
In Singaporean Hokkien, Tone 1 is very similar, if not identical to Mandarin Tone 1, with a value of 44. Use Mandarin Tone 1 to replicate this tone. Just make sure it is not too high or exaggerated.
In Hokkien, Tone 1 undergoes tone change from 44 to 33. This means that the changed tone is just slightly lower, being at one’s natural speaking pitch. (There is no need to indicate tone change for Tone 1)
In Singaporean Teochew, Tone 1 is also somewhat similar to Singaporean Mandarin Tone 1, with people pronouncing it with a value of 33. A Teochew speaker should be cautious not to bring the pitch too high in order to prevent confusion with Tone 5, the high flat tone. Just keep the pitch close to your natural speaking pitch, not too high, or too low.
In Teochew, Tone 1 does not undergo tone change and remains as 33.
In conclusion, Hokkien’s Tone 1 is just slightly higher than that of Teochew’s, but both are pronounced the same when they undergo tone change.
Tone 2 - Rising
In both Singaporean Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 2 is very similar, if not identical to Mandarin Tone 2, with a value of 24. Use Mandarin Tone 2 to replicate this tone.
In both Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 2 undergoes tone change to Tone 7, from 24 to 21. This means that the changed tone is low, very similar or identical to Singaporean Mandarin Tone 3.
In conclusion, Tone 2 is rising, and undergoes tone change to Tone 3. Remember the tone change combination 27.
Tone 3 - Low
In both Singaporean Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 3 is very similar, if not identical to Singaporean Mandarin Tone 3, with a value of 21. Use Singaporean Mandarin Tone 3 to replicate this tone. (Note that the falling-rising 213 variant is fairly rare in Singapore)
In both Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 3 undergoes tone change to Tone 4, from 21 to 42. This means that the changed tone is falling, very similar or identical to Mandarin Tone 4.
Note that Tone 3 is in effect identical to Tone 7, but Tone 7 does not undergo tone change.
In conclusion, Tone 3 is low, and undergoes tone change to Tone 4. Remember the tone change combination 34.
Tone 4 - Falling
In both Singaporean Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 4 is very similar, if not identical to Mandarin Tone 4, with a value of 42. Use Mandarin Tone 4 to replicate this tone.
In both Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 4 undergoes tone change to Tone 2, from 42 to 24. This means that the changed tone is rising, very similar or identical to Mandarin Tone 4.
In certain terms, it also undergoes tone change to Tone 1, from 42 to 44. This means that the changed tone is middle flat, very similar or identical to Mandarin Tone 1. This phenomenon seems to be more common in Teochew.
*In Teochew, Tone 4 words can undergo tone change in the final position if it is preceded by Tone 3, 4, or 8 words. It changes to Tone 7, from 42 to 21. This is a distinctive feature of the Teochew accent. (HL sandhi)
In conclusion, Tone 4 is falling, and undergoes tone change to Tone 2 or Tone 1. In Teochew it also undergoes tone change to Tone 7 preceding Tone 3, 4, and 8 words. Remember the tone change combinations 42, 41, and 47.
Tone 5 - High Flat
Tone 5 is a tone that only Teochew has. It is similar to Mandarin Tone 1, with a value of 55. Teochew speakers should emphasise the high pitch of the tone to differentiate it from the middle flat Tone 1.
Tone 5 undergoes tone change to Tone 7, from 55 to 21. This means that the changed tone is low, very similar or identical to Singaporean Mandarin Tone 3.
In conclusion, Tone 5 is high flat, and undergoes tone change to Tone 7. Remember the tone change combination 57.
Tone 6 - Falling/High Checked
In both Singaporean Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 6 is a short, abrupt, slight falling or high tone with a value of 43 or 4. It only occurs in words ending in -p, -t, -k, and -’.
食/食物件，薄/淡薄，掠/掠无球，白，月，目，学/学堂，力/食力，读/读册，拔/拔倒
In both Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 6 undergoes tone change to Tone 8, from 43 to 2. This means that the changed tone is low checked.
In conclusion, Tone 6 is falling and checked, and undergoes tone change to Tone 8. Remember the tone change combination 68.
Tone 7 - Low
In both Singaporean Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 7 is very similar, if not identical to Singaporean Mandarin Tone 3, with a value of 21. Use Mandarin Tone 3 to replicate this tone.
Tone 7 does not undergo tone change.
Note that Tone 7 is in effect identical to Tone 3, but Tone 3 undergoes tone change.
In conclusion, Tone 7 is low, and does not undergo tone change.
Tone 8 - Low Checked
In both Singaporean Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 8 is a short, abrupt, low tone with a value of 2. It only occurs in words ending in -p, -t, -k, and -’.
In both Hokkien and Teochew, Tone 8 undergoes tone change to Tone 6, from 2 to 43. This means that the changed tone is falling/high checked.
In conclusion, Tone 8 is low and checked, and undergoes tone change to Tone 6. Remember the tone change combination 86.
Move on to Writing Tones for more info on how to indicate tones in romanisation!
~桂壱 🙃
Comments
Post a Comment