SIL International Publications

The Prosody of Affect in South Conchucos Quechua

Relation Text: 
SIL Electronic Working Papers 2012-005
Statement of Responsibility: 
Hintz, Diane
Authors: 
Issue Date: 
2012
Abstract: 
This study contributes to our understanding of prosody by showing how fundamental frequency and voice quality, together with content and verbal tense, are used to communicate specific kinds of affect in South Conchucos Quechua discourse. Marked F0 elevation and widened range indicate positive affect (e.g., excitement and happiness). Correspondingly, lowered F0 and narrowing of the range communicate negative affect (e.g., shame and apprehension). Laughter can communicate positive affect, while use of a glottal stop, creating forceful voice quality, communicates negative affect. This study is an initial step towards describing the richness of the communication of affect in an indigenous language of the Americas. This document includes .mp3 audio files and requires an appropriate media player.
Extent: 
16 pages
Subject: 
Grammatical Description
Phonological Description
Verbal Tense
South Conchucos Quechua
Prosody
Central Peru
Affect
Country: 
Peru
Field: 
Nature of Work: