tone language; tonal language
A language where pitch patterns on syllables distinguish word meanings. Often contrasted with 声調言語, though usage overlaps.
See also: 声調言語
Chinese is one of the representative tone languages.
In tone languages, even the same syllable can change meaning depending on pitch.
Often used interchangeably with 音調言語, but 声調言語 may emphasize the phonological aspect of tones, while 音調言語 is a broader term.
Compound of 音調 (tone, pitch) and 言語 (language). A modern linguistic term.