Tone sandhi: Difference between revisions

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'''{{w|Tone sandhi}}''' ("sandhi" is from the Sanskrit word for "joining") is the change of [[Tones of Taiwanese|tone]] based on the pronunciation of adjacent words or morphemes.
'''{{w|Tone sandhi}}''' ("sandhi" is from the Sanskrit word for "joining") is the change of [[Tones of Taiwanese|tone]] based on the pronunciation of adjacent words or morphemes.


* In Taiwanese, most syllables will have to change tone ({{x|pierntiau}}) depending on the surrounding words and grammatical function. The rules for this are extensive. Basically, it's a way to join syllables into words as well as to join larger units.
* In Taiwanese, most syllables will have to change tone ([[pierntiau]]) depending on the surrounding words and grammatical function. The rules for this are extensive. Basically, it's a way to join syllables into words as well as to join larger units.
* Almost all verbs and adjectives will change tone to "join" them to whatever is coming next in the sentence, if present.
* Almost all verbs and adjectives will change tone to "join" them to whatever is coming next in the sentence, if present.
* The final syllable in a noun doesn't change tone, as long as it's standing alone. (If it's being used as an adjective, see above.)
* The final syllable in a noun doesn't change tone, as long as it's standing alone. (If it's being used as an adjective, see above.)


== Basic rules (Tone Circles) ==  
== Basic rules (tone circles) ==  
[[File:Tone Circles.png|right|frame|Taiwanese tones in isolation, and the changes they undergo when they precede another tone.]]
[[File:Tone Circles.png|right|frame|Taiwanese tones in isolation, and the changes they undergo when they precede another tone.]]
* If the original tone number is '''5''' ([[curving-up tone]]), pronounce it as tone number '''7''' (basic).
* If the original tone number is '''5''' ([[curving-up tone]]), pronounce it as tone number '''7''' (basic).
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* {{x|bahzaxng}}
* {{x|bahzaxng}}
* {{x|Taioaan}}
* {{x|Taioaan}}
* {{x|hibang}} (See [[MTL words with double reverse mapping]] for more post-tone-sandhi homophones.)
* {{x|hibang}} (see [[polysyllables that become homonyms after conversion to MLT]])


Of course, there is still plenty of tone change that is not explicitly written.
Of course, there is still plenty of tone change that is not explicitly written.
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*[[symmih]], [[ui-symmih]], (see [[Taiguo_Siong'iong_460-ji#Demonstrative_pronouns]])
*[[symmih]], [[ui-symmih]], (see [[Taiguo_Siong'iong_460-ji#Demonstrative_pronouns]])
* [[basic tone]] + [[ar]]. (The basic tone syllable is excepted).
* [[basic tone]] + [[ar]]. (The basic tone syllable is excepted).
* surnames before ''{{x|siensvy}}'': {{XL|Taan}}`siensvy
* surnames before ''{{x|`siensvy}}'': {{x|Taan}}`Siensvy
* some compound words: [[tøe-tang]], [[thvy-kngf]], {{x|sym-sngf}}
* some compound words: [[tøe-tang]], [[thvy-kngf]], {{x|sym-sngf}} (the [[hyphen]] is used to hint)


== Further details ==
== Further details ==

Latest revision as of 13:18, 3 December 2024

Tone sandhi ("sandhi" is from the Sanskrit word for "joining") is the change of tone based on the pronunciation of adjacent words or morphemes.

  • In Taiwanese, most syllables will have to change tone (pierntiau) depending on the surrounding words and grammatical function. The rules for this are extensive. Basically, it's a way to join syllables into words as well as to join larger units.
  • Almost all verbs and adjectives will change tone to "join" them to whatever is coming next in the sentence, if present.
  • The final syllable in a noun doesn't change tone, as long as it's standing alone. (If it's being used as an adjective, see above.)

Basic rules (tone circles)

Taiwanese tones in isolation, and the changes they undergo when they precede another tone.
  • If the original tone number is 5 (curving-up tone), pronounce it as tone number 7 (basic).
  • If the original tone number is 7 (basic tone), pronounce it as tone number 3 (low-falling).
  • If the original tone number is 3 (low-falling), pronounce it as tone number 2 (shouting out).
  • If the original tone number is 2 (shouting tone), pronounce it as tone number 1 (high).
  • If the original tone number is 1 (high tone), pronounce it as tone number 7 (basic).
  • If the original tone number is 8 (high-short), pronounce it as tone number 4 (low-short).
  • If the original tone number is 4 (low-short), pronounce it as tone number 8 (high-short).

We admit this is a simplification. Please see Taiwanese Hokkien#Tone sandhi for a more detailed explanation.

Examples in Modern Literal Taiwanese

In MLT, most multisyllabic words are written with internal tones already changed. This way, the spelling explicitly reflects tone sandhi and thus grammar. For example:

Try using the MTL Toolbox to "unjoin" these example words into the original syllables:

Of course, there is still plenty of tone change that is not explicitly written.

Exceptions

Further details

See also