Tone terracing is a type of phoneticdowndrift, where the high or mid tones, but not the low tone, shift downward in pitch (downstep) after certain other tones. The result is that a tone may be realized at a certain pitch over a short stretch of speech, shifts downward and then continues at its new level, then shifts downward again, until the end of the prosodic contour is reached, at which point the pitch resets. A graph of the change in pitch over time of a particular tone resembles a terrace.
Since the pitch of the low tone remains more-or-less constant at the lower end of the speaker's vocal range, while the other tones shift downward, the difference in their pitches narrows, eventually obscuring the tones altogether. At this point pitch reset is required if the tone system is to continue functioning.
Tone terracing is particularly common in the languages of West Africa, where typically only the low tone causes downstep. However, a somewhat more intricate system is found in the Twi language of Ghana. Twi has three phonemic tones: high, mid, and low. A word, and therefore a prosodic chunk of speech, may only start with a high tone or a low tone on its first syllable. As in many languages, a low tone starts out and remains at the bottom of the speaker's range. After a low tone, a subsequent high tone is downstepped. (A temporary exception occurs when a single low tone is found between two high tones. In this case the low tone is raised from its base value, but the second high tone is still downstepped, and subsequent low tones return to the base pitch.)
In an unassuming location in Meyan Mall in Umm Suqeim, the décor is chic with neutral tones, while there’s a terrace boasting Burj Al Arab Jumeirah views, too ... The set-up is lovely, both inside and from the terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
Compact, shaven-headed and gym-toned, Stevenson is the son of a postman who revels in his Artful Dodger-like persona. He grew up in a terrace house with a railway line running past the back yard – but ...
Compact, shaven-headed and gym-toned, Stevenson is the son of a postman who revels in his Artful Dodger-like persona. He grew up in a terrace house with a railway line running past the back yard – but ...
washer/dryer, indoor fireplace, kitchen, roof terrace ... washer/dryer, kitchen, terrace, free parking ... Neutral tones and natural textures come together here to create a peaceful oasis in this terrace apartment in the heart of La Condesa.
Hammocks swing lazily on spacious terraces, while pretty beach cabanas, bamboo furnishings and sand-toned colour schemes attract the style set to this low-key, adults-only retreat ... terraces.
Each of the nine rooms at Jardines de Palerm, a centuries-old finca-turned boutique hotel, is designed in natural stone with pops of warm wood tones – all with its own private terrace overlooking the hills of Sa Talaia.
Each of the three bedrooms has its own balcony, while downstairs there’s an open-plan living space giving onto a generous terrace whose infinity pool seems to merge with the horizon ... neutral tones.
In an unassuming location in Meyan Mall, the décor is chic with neutral tones, while there’s a terrace boasting Burj Al Arab Jumeirah views, too ... With a cute terrace out the front, with an eclectic ...
The restaurant and rooftop bar offers panoramic views on all three levels, with the largest full-service terrace on The Wharf. Meanwhile, the thoughtfully designed interior sets the tone for a ...
We are standing behind a terrace of terracotta and honey-toned houses; even on a dreich day, the 1-hectare (2.4-acre) site has a distinctly Mediterranean vibe ...Thorne is gesticulating at a tiny path ... ....
The facades are lovely on this terrace, with front yards beyond railings, two tones of brick colour and a triangular peak above the first-floor window ... Freshly renovated two-bed terrace in Irishtown for €515,000.
Furniture and textiles in neutral tones and soft jewel shades create a sumptuous yet relaxing environment ...Bright rooms are decorated in cool Mediterranean tones; the best are on the top floor with terraces.
