Pitch accent in Japanese: implementation by the c/d model

Abstract

In Tokyo Japanese, lexical accent is implemented by pitch pattern control, while phrasal stress patterns, along with pitch variation, convey non-lexical information in discourse. The C/D model represents pitch control by the tonal melody and stress control by the skeletal organization of the utterance. Phonetic implementation of pitch contours is exemplified here for different lexical accent patterns, including interphrasal interaction (catathesis). An example of phonetic variability is discussed. The issue of accentbearing units (syllable vs. mora) is revisited. A principle of nuclear prominence (PNP) is proposed explaining why pitch drops in the middle of an accented long syllable.