Encyclopedia of Chinese Language and Linguistics

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Tone
(4,663 words)

1. Introduction

Tone is the linguistic use of pitch, that is, when pitch is used to convey meaning, it is called tone. Pitch is the auditory impression of the acoustic signals of speech sounds, especially the frequencies, which are determined by the vibration of the vocal folds. We measure frequencies in hertz, the number of closing-and-opening cycles of the vocal folds within a second. Pitch, by contrast, is…

Cite this page
Zhiming BAO, “Tone”, in: Encyclopedia of Chinese Language and Linguistics, General Editor Rint Sybesma. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2210-7363_ecll_COM_00000422>
First published online: 2015



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