Prosodic encoding of topic and focus in mandarin

Bei Wang, Yi Xu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, we investigate whether and how focus and topic can be separately encoded in Mandarin. A total of 60 sentences with three lengths and five tone combinations were recorded in four topic-focus conditions: initial focus, new topic, implicit topic and given topic, by six speakers. The results of acoustic analysis show that new topic is encoded with a raised pitch range on the initial word. Focus, in contrast, is encoded with an expanded pitch range on the focused word and a suppressed pitch range on the subsequent words.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication3rd International Conference on Speech Prosody 2006
EditorsR. Hoffmann, H. Mixdorff
PublisherInternational Speech Communications Association
ISBN (Electronic)9780000000002
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
Event3rd International Conference on Speech Prosody, SP 2006 - Dresden, Germany
Duration: 2 May 20065 May 2006

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Speech Prosody
ISSN (Print)2333-2042

Conference

Conference3rd International Conference on Speech Prosody, SP 2006
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityDresden
Period2/05/065/05/06

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