Tonal Patterns and Extrametricality of Japanese 2-Pattern Accent Systems

Abstract

This paper aims at providing a formal analysis of the tonal patterns of four Japanese dialects with n-pattern accent systems. Most of the dialects with n-pattern systems are spoken in the Southwestern part of Kyushu. These dialects share many characteristics but still show interesting differences in their tonal patterns. In this paper, I provide a new way of approaching two 2-pattern dialects, Kagoshima and Koshikijima Japanese, using extrametricality. Also, I extend this approach to other 2-pattern dialects, Wan and Kikaijima Japanese.