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that each overt l-register is defined as creating a register lower than the preceding register. Therefore, two Low toned TBUs that are adjacent and articulated at the same pitch must share the l-register specification.
In the tonal situation specified in 29 where the second TBU has a different tonal melody, if two l-registers remain on the adjacent TBUs, then the second l-register would indicate a lowering of the Mid-high. The
exact pitch of this lowered Mid-high, i.e., whether or not it would be pronounced below the Low tone preceding it would depend on the language specific pitch distance specified between the registers and tonal
melodies of the given language. Finally, the tonal feature may violate the OCP resulting in merger, deletion or dissimilation. When
two tone features become adjacent and no other repair strategy is indicated, the two features will end up as a shared feature between TBUs, as is represented in 30b.
30 Tonal Feature Merger
a. Adjacent L tone features b. OCP Result
l h
l h
L L
L
TBU TBU
TBU TBU Recall that the tonal features and register features exist in separate planes, so the association lines are not
crossing, despite the 2-dimentional representation. The first TBU in both 30a and b has a Low tone and the second TBU has a Mid tone.
The power and effects of the OCP are language specific as are the repair strategies, but it is important to note that the effects may be felt between any two adjacent elements. OCP motivated merger
can join entire TRNs or just the feature on the register or tonal tier.
1.5.4.5 Summary
RTT is a theory that builds on Autosegmental Phonology in order to allow for the discrete representation of at least four level tones as well as both sequential and unitary contours. RTT allows all of
the expected autosegmental phenomena, but with the potential to expand any process to any tonal tier. In other words, RTT allows for both total tonal plateaus as well as partial either register or tone melody
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plateaus. It also allows for contour tones to form in expanded ways. Either two TRNs can be connected to the same TBU or a register or tonal melody contour may occur between the two TRNs that are both linked
to the same TBU. An entire tone may be unassociated and therefore floating or only the register feature or tonal feature may be floating. Finally, spreading may occur on any of these three levels as well. In addition,
because of the relative definitions given to the register features, RTT allows for sequential upstep and downstep. Upstep and downstep are described in some African languages like Chumburung and Engenni
which both have downstep in a two level system, per Snider 1999. Upstep has also been described in a Mexican language with three level tones, Acatl
án Mixtec a Mexican language first described by Pike and Wistrand 1974, reanalyzed by Snider 1999. RTT allows the demonstration of register affects similar to
upstep and downstep in languages with four levels of tone; however, languages rarely seem to offer this level of complexity. Soyaltepec Mazatec is one of the languages which require a theory of tone that allows
for both four levels and the presence of register effects. It is my assertion that without the expanded apparatus provided by RTT, the complete description of the tonal phenomena that occur in Soyaltepec
Mazatec would be difficult and even arbitrary, but through using RTT, the system is easily explained.
1.6 Tonal Typology
Tonal languages have been divided into two fundamental groups since at least the time of Pike’s 1948 Tone Languages. The terms ‘African tone language’ and ‘Register tone system’ are often held in
opposition to the terms ‘Asian tone language’ and ‘Contour tone system.’ Each group encompasses various language families and diverse types of tone languages. The opposition between these groups can be
exemplified by looking at some basic tendencies of each. African tone languages tend to have small tonal inventories while Asian systems tend toward more complex inventories. African systems tend to have level
tones
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and if contour tones exist they can be shown to be sequences of the level tones which are expressed on a single TBU. The Asian systems often include contour tones which are primitive and unitary adding to
multi-tiered minimal sets on single syllables. Because the Asian languages tend to have a simpler syllable structure and morphology, a heavy lexical weight is placed on the tones.
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Level tones are sometimes referred to as ‘register tones.’
