Peking University, May 16, 2025: Lu Yao, assistant professor in the PKU Department of Chinese Language and Literature and his team from the PKU Linguistics Laboratory published a research paper titled "Contribution of F0 and phonation to tone perception in the Zaiwa language" in the 110th volume of the Journal of Phonetics. 

Understanding tone perception is vital as it impacts communication in tonal languages where pitch variations can change meanings. While fundamental frequency (F0) has been a focal point in previous research, this study emphasizes the importance of phonation types and voice qualities, which have often been overlooked. Exploring these factors, the research contributes to ongoing discussions about the cognitive and evolutionary aspects of language.

The study synthesized a continuum of tones from the Zaiwa language, a Tibeto-Burman language where both F0 and phonation cues are phonologically contrastive. It presents groundbreaking evidence showing that phonation type significantly affects tone perception. It introduces the "superposition effect of phoneme perception," suggesting that multiple distinctive features can interact during cognitive processing. These findings not only enhance the understanding of Zaiwa tone perception but also advance broader theories in speech perception and cognitive phonology.

The research findings present compelling new evidence that advances our understanding of speech perception theory and the evolution of language. The implications of this research extend beyond the Zaiwa language to broader fields of linguistics and phonetics. The insights gained could inform future studies on speech perception and cognitive processing, improving theoretical frameworks in cognitive phonology. Furthermore, this study represents a significant advancement in linguistic research, filling critical gaps and offering new methodologies for future inquiries in the field. 

Click “here” to read the paper. 

Written by: Philip Stephen
Edited by: Wang Jia En
Source: PKU News (Chinese)