The Intonational Structure of Chickasaw

This paper describes the principal features of the intonational system of Chickasaw, a Muskogean language spoken in southcentral Oklahoma. Results of the study are as follows. The Intonational Phrase (IP) consists of one or more Accentual Phrases (AP) which can be larger or smaller than a word. The underlying tonal pattern of the AP is [LHHL]. Chickasaw statements are characteristically marked by a H% final boundary tone, whereas both Wh and yes/no questions are realized with a L% final boundary tone. The nuclear pitch accent in an IP falls on the final syllable in statements. In questions, the conditions governing nuclear pitch accent placement involve sensitivity to syllable weight.