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Tonal language
01
lengua tonal
a language in which variations in pitch or tone can distinguish different words or convey different meanings
What is a "tonal language"?
A tonal language is a type of language in which the meaning of a word can change based on the pitch or tone used when pronouncing it. In tonal languages, different tones are associated with different meanings, making the correct use of pitch essential for effective communication. For example, in Mandarin Chinese, the syllable "ma" can mean "mother," "hemp," "horse," or "to scold," depending on the tone used. Tonal languages can have varying numbers of tones, and the pitch variations can be crucial for distinguishing between words. Understanding tonal languages is important in linguistics because it highlights the role of pitch in language structure and how it affects meaning in communication.
Ejemplo
Linguists study tonal languages like Thai and Vietnamese to understand how pitch affects meaning.
Vietnamese is a tonal language which makes it challenging for new learners.
Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, where the meaning of a word can change based on the pitch used to pronounce it.
