contour language

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Word: Contour Language

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A contour language is a type of tone language where the meaning of a word can change depending on the pitch and shape of the sound. In these languages, the rise and fall of the pitch can communicate different meanings.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You can use the term "contour language" when discussing languages that rely on pitch to convey meaning. This is common in linguistic studies or when comparing different languages.

Example:

• Mandarin Chinese is a contour language because the word "ma" can mean "mother," "hemp," "horse," or "scold," depending on how it is pronounced with different pitches.

Advanced Usage:

• In linguistic analysis, contour languages are often explored in relation to their phonetic structures and how they affect communication and understanding.

Word Variants:

• Contour (noun): The outline or shape of something.
• Contoured (adjective): Shaped in a specific way.

Different Meaning:

• Contour (in art): Refers to the outline of a shape or figure.

Synonyms:

• Tone language: A broader term that can include contour languages as well as other types of tone systems.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "contour language," but you might encounter phrases related to communication like "tone it down," which refers to making your tone less intense or aggressive.

Summary:

A contour language is a fascinating aspect of linguistics that highlights how pitch affects meaning.

Academic

Noun

1. a tone language that uses pitch changes