Tonal System of Tong in Vietnam

Abstract

Tong is the only language belonging to Kam-Sui sub-branch, within the Kam-Tai branch of the  Tai-Kadai language family. Wiht a small number of speakers, it is  reported to be highly endangered. To date, the structure of Tong in Vietnam still has not been researched. This paper describes tonal system of Tong from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives. The synchronic descriptions are based on auditory impressions of tones and analyses by Praat as well. The diachronic approach employs the comparative method to trace innovation of the tonal system from Proto Kam – Sui to modern Tong.