Tone and Non-tone Languages: An Alternative to Language Typology and Parameters *

Abstract

Linguists often classify languages into various types. In generative phonology, language typology is usually translated into parameters, such as the parameter for trochaic vs. iambic feet, or the parameter for syllable counting vs. mora counting. Focusing on the typology of tone and non-tone languages, I argue that the typological or parametric approach has four problems. First, it does not offer a clear-cut classification. Second, it does not capture similarities between different language types. Third, it does not capture differences within a given language type. Fourth, it does not offer a good guide for research. As an alternative, I offer a theory in which there is no typology or parameters. Instead, languages differ in their selection of various phonological inventories (vowel inventory, consonant inventory, tonal inventory, etc.). Each inventory selection has a specific set of properties, and the interactions among various inventory selections give the overall properties of a given language. The present theory is simpler, offers a better guide for research, and offers a better understanding of language differences and language universals.