Project description
Diversity of tonal systems in the languages of the world
Tonal languages make up between 42 and 43 % of the world’s languages. The ERC-funded THoT project aims to systematically describe the diversity of the tonal systems of the languages of the world to accumulate comprehensive data on the role of tones in highly diverse phonological systems of the world’s languages: structure of tonal systems, functional load of tone (expressed in the terms of tonal density), role of tone in distinguishing lexical and/or grammatical meanings, typological comparision of different tonal systems by numerous parameters.
Objective
Tonal languages are no longer perceived as exotic. According to modern concepts, about 50-60% of the world's languages are tonal. However, the main shortcoming of the majority of research dedicated to tones consists in a narrow panorama of research. It is most often limited either to the description of the tonal system of a certain language or to a particular problem, like correlation of tone and accent, etc.
The goal of the project is twofold: (a) to prove that any tonal system can be classified into one of the (presumably) four categories and b) typical trends of change of these systems in diachronic perspective are movements from one category to another according to rules that have to be identified. It will be done on the basis of rich language data. The project covers all major areas of localization of tonal languages. Within a five-year project, it is impossible to explore all the tonal languages of the world. Thus, a balanced sample of 150-200 languages will be carefully studied. This sample takes into account the language family, area of distribution and other relevant parameters including information on language structure, characteristics of the tonal system, functions of tone, tonal density index. This ambitious goal can be achieved through the participation of leading specialists in tonal languages, like Larry Hyman and other prominent tonologists.
The present project is a break-through as it will make possible to discover substantiate in-depth correlations between suprasegmental characteristics of a language, correlations between suprasegmental system and other parameters, such as genetic affiliation, areal distribution or morphological structure. The adopting the terminological system that can be applied to any tonal system of any language, will lead the research team to an adequate comparison of tonal systems. Special attention will be paid to intermediate types. The study of languages will combine typological, genetic and areal approaches.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-ADG
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75214 Paris
France
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