Tone Language (Noun)
Meaning
A language in which different tones distinguish different meanings.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The Mandarin Chinese dialect is a classic example of a tone language, where the same word can have different meanings based on the tone in which it is spoken.
- Tone languages, such as Vietnamese and Thai, require speakers to master a range of tones in order to communicate effectively.
- Many indigenous languages of Africa are tone languages, with some languages having up to five distinct tones that change the meaning of words.
- In a tone language like Yoruba, the difference between a statement and a question can be indicated solely by a change in tone.
- Linguists have identified over 500 tone languages around the world, with many more dialects and variations within each language.