Over 60% of world languages use simple pitch patterns to distinguish individual words or the grammatical forms of words. Some tonal languages involve moving pitch patterns, e.g., from a flat pitch to a rising pitch, in distinguishing the morphosyntactic and semantic features. The moving pitch pattern is called a contour tone. Contour tonal languages are seen around the world in America (e.g., Navajo), Africa (e.g., Yoruba) and Asia (e.g., the Chinese languages).
A conservative estimate is there are over 1.5 billion native tonal language speakers, and potentially over 10 million second language learners. For native speakers, language disorders may arise when tones are not processed as per the (moving) pitch patterns in the first language (L1). For non-native speakers, language differences between L1 and L2 (the second language) may contribute to the misuse of tones in the target language, and, therefore, result in incomplete acquisition of the L2. Contour tonal languages pose a particular challenge in processing and acquisition for both native and non-native speakers.
Studies in this Research Topic will look closely at how comprehension of tonal languages is processed in real time, including their representation in multiple brain systems, and under different neurological conditions. They will also examine how speech, language and literacy skills are acquired and changed during typical cognitive development, and how developmental deficits may compromise them. To achieve this, studies included in the topic will approach tonal language processing and acquisition from both the native and non-native speakers’ perspectives. They will compare both by taking into consideration the roles of language differences and disorders. They will also examine the topic at the interface between tonal patterns and other linguistic modules including morphosyntax, semantics and pragmatics. The goal is that the research topic will provide empirical evidence that contributes to the theoretical development of tonal processing and acquisition, and more importantly, provide implications to language education (in both L1 and L2), policy-making, speech and language disorders, as well as psychology and cognitive sciences.
This article collection welcomes studies on tonal language processing and acquisition. Systematic reviews or scoping reviews are also welcome. Key areas of interest include tonal processing and/or acquisition among native or non-native speakers, between language differences and disorders, and at the interface between tonal patterns and other linguistic modules. We welcome quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed-method studies. We particularly welcome multi- and interdisciplinary studies addressing the theoretical and practical issues of tonal processing and acquisition across education, policy-making, speech and language disorders, psychology and cognitive sciences.
Over 60% of world languages use simple pitch patterns to distinguish individual words or the grammatical forms of words. Some tonal languages involve moving pitch patterns, e.g., from a flat pitch to a rising pitch, in distinguishing the morphosyntactic and semantic features. The moving pitch pattern is called a contour tone. Contour tonal languages are seen around the world in America (e.g., Navajo), Africa (e.g., Yoruba) and Asia (e.g., the Chinese languages).
A conservative estimate is there are over 1.5 billion native tonal language speakers, and potentially over 10 million second language learners. For native speakers, language disorders may arise when tones are not processed as per the (moving) pitch patterns in the first language (L1). For non-native speakers, language differences between L1 and L2 (the second language) may contribute to the misuse of tones in the target language, and, therefore, result in incomplete acquisition of the L2. Contour tonal languages pose a particular challenge in processing and acquisition for both native and non-native speakers.
Studies in this Research Topic will look closely at how comprehension of tonal languages is processed in real time, including their representation in multiple brain systems, and under different neurological conditions. They will also examine how speech, language and literacy skills are acquired and changed during typical cognitive development, and how developmental deficits may compromise them. To achieve this, studies included in the topic will approach tonal language processing and acquisition from both the native and non-native speakers’ perspectives. They will compare both by taking into consideration the roles of language differences and disorders. They will also examine the topic at the interface between tonal patterns and other linguistic modules including morphosyntax, semantics and pragmatics. The goal is that the research topic will provide empirical evidence that contributes to the theoretical development of tonal processing and acquisition, and more importantly, provide implications to language education (in both L1 and L2), policy-making, speech and language disorders, as well as psychology and cognitive sciences.
This article collection welcomes studies on tonal language processing and acquisition. Systematic reviews or scoping reviews are also welcome. Key areas of interest include tonal processing and/or acquisition among native or non-native speakers, between language differences and disorders, and at the interface between tonal patterns and other linguistic modules. We welcome quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed-method studies. We particularly welcome multi- and interdisciplinary studies addressing the theoretical and practical issues of tonal processing and acquisition across education, policy-making, speech and language disorders, psychology and cognitive sciences.
