Downstep in Supyire

Statement of Responsibility: 
Carlson, Robert
Authors: 
Issue Date: 
1983
Is Part Of Series: 
Studies in African Linguistics 14(1)
Extent: 
pages 35-45
Abstract: 
Downstep in the vast majority of cases can be traced to the influence of a low tone [Hyman 1979]. This paper discusses the case of Supyire, a three tone language with downstep unrelated to low tone. Sequences of high tones are automatically downstepped. Confusion with mid tone is in most cases avoided by a rule which raises mid to high tone; the two rules together creating a "flip-flop" effect. Supyire also has automatic downdrift of mid and high tones following a low tone. It thus presents an unusual combination of downstep and downdrift in the same language, but unrelated to each other.
Publication Status: 
Published
Country: 
Mali
Subject Languages: 
Content Language: 
Field: 
Work Type: 
Subject: 
Nature of Work: 
Entry Number: 
1657