The English intonation often referred to as a calling contour-a stepping-down sequence of two level tones-is not inherently associated with calling, but rather conveys the implication that an utterance is in some way stereotyped or stylized. Vivid and quite precise nuances in specific usages can be accounted for by the abstract meaning 'stylized'. This meaning is not restricted to the stepping-down contour, but is a more general phenomenon: at least three contours ending in level pitch are 'stylized' modifications of 'plain' contours ending in rising or falling pitch. The relationship of stylized contours to plain contours provides some evidence for preferring British-style 'nuclear tones' to whole-sentence 'tunes' as units of analysis. More importantly, it clearly demonstrates the inadequacy of any approach to English intonation which treats contours as sequences of significant pitch levels.
Language, a journal of the Linguistic Society of America (LSA), has appeared continuously since 1925 (4 issues per year). It publishes scholarly articles that report on original research covering the field of linguistics broadly, thus treating topics that include, among others, linguistic theory (phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics); language description; language in its social setting; the history of individual languages; language acquisition; experimentation on language perception, production, and processing; computational modeling of language; and the history of linguistics. Language also publishes research reports, discussion notes, and reviews and, beginning in 2013, has expanded to include digital content in four online-only sections: Perspectives, Phonological Analysis, Language and Public Policy, and Teaching Linguistics. Language also included the LSA Bulletin newsletter as a supplement from 1930 - 1969.
THE LINGUISTIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA (LSA) was founded in 1924 for the advancement of the scientific study of language. The Society serves its nearly 5,000 individual members, institutional subscribers and the larger linguistics community through its scholarly meetings, publications, linguistic institutes, professional development programs, and special activities designed to advance the discipline. An interest in linguistics is the only requirement for membership. The LSA works to educate and inform the broader public about the unique role of human language and the value of linguistic research in understanding that role.
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© 1978 Linguistic Society of America
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