Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
toneme
Noun
/ˈtoʊniːm/
Definition
A tone unit in a language that uses pitch to distinguish meanings of words or parts of words.
Examples
- In Mandarin Chinese, the word for ‘ma’ can mean ‘mother’, ‘hemp’, ‘horse’, or ‘scold’ depending on the toneme used.
- Understanding tonemes is crucial for non-native speakers learning a tonal language.
Meaning
Toneme refers to the smallest unit of speech that can convey a change in meaning through differences in pitch. It is especially important in tonal languages where the tone or pitch of a word can alter its meaning entirely.
Synonyms
- pitch unit
- tonal unit
