Strong and Weak Low Tones in Peñoles Mixtec
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Mixtec languages have some of the most complex tonal systems in the world and pose a challenge to frameworks for tonal analysis. In this chapter, I argue that analysing floating L tone association in Peñoles Mixtec can be done successfully with Gradient Symbolic Representations. By deriving an independently motivated distinction between weak and strong L tones at the word level, the deletion of floating L in a highly specific context at the phrasal phonology becomes straightforward. Through the same mechanism of gradient representations, a unified explanation is given for the exceptional phonological behaviour of the enclitic /=kwe/. The analysis does not need to rely on complex constraints, multiple grammars, or morpheme-specific phonology.
Author: Thom van Hugte
Institution: Leipzig University
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6902653318
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