Tonal Contrasts in the Malipo Variety of the Mienic Language

This paper describes tonal contrasts in the Malipo variety of the Mienic language and explores how they are manifested by acoustic cues. Results show that Linear Mixed-Effects Models based on Growth Curve Analysis successfully characterizes the 5 level tones, 3 falling tones, 3 rising or concave tones, and 2 convex tones in the Malipo variety. In addition to F0, duration also plays a role in a complex tonal system.