A Mathematical and Statistical Approach to Explore the Downtrend Properties in Chokri

Authors

  • Tulika Gogoi

    Department of Linguistics and Language Technology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, Assam, Indiaa

  • Sekholu Tetseo

    Department of Linguistics and Language Technology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, Assam, India

  • Amalesh Gope

    Department of Linguistics and Language Technology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, Assam, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i5.6981
Received: 1 August 2024 | Revised: 22 August 2024 | Accepted: 6 September 2024 | Published Online: 14 November 2024

Abstract

This paper explores f0 downtrend processes in Chokri, a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Nagaland, India. Chokri manifests five lexical tones, comprising four level tones- extra high (EH), high (H), mid (M), low (L), and one contour tone- mid-rising (MR). This study encompasses three distinct downtrend phenomena: temporal declination, final lowering, and automatic downstep. Three complementary methodologies- (a) visual, (b) statistical, and (c) mathematical modeling, are incorporated to examine time-dependent declination across all H, M, and L tone sequences. Visual and statistical analyses show the downtrend nature of these tonal sequences, revealing a linear downtrend in all H and L tone sequences, with M tone displaying a non-linear trajectory. However, while visual observation and statistical modeling do not precisely delineate the appropriate non-linear model, mathematical modeling confirms exponential decay as the fitting non-linear model for M tone sequences. The mathematical modeling further validates that only M tone sequences result in final lowering. Furthermore, an intervening L tone affects the f0 scaling of H tone sequences, confirming an automatic downstep in Chokri. Quantitative analysis revealed the pronounced effect of the intervening L tone on the preceding and following syllables containing an H tone and confirmed the declination process in Chokri.

Keywords:

Chokri; Downtrends; Downstep; Declination; Statistical Modeling; Mathematical Modeling

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How to Cite

Gogoi, T., Tetseo, S., & Gope, A. (2024). A Mathematical and Statistical Approach to Explore the Downtrend Properties in Chokri. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6(5), 664–677. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i5.6981

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