Definition & Meaning of "tonal language"in English

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.