Phonetic Correlates of Statement versus Question Intonation in Dutch

Abstract

In recent years, the formal elements of Dutch intonation have been laid down in two comprehensive models (’t Hart, Collier and Cohen, 1990;Gussenhoven & Rietveld, 1992. With these two formal models at our disposal, the stage seems set for further explorations, notably of the relationship between form and function. The present study focuses on acoustic and perceptual correlates of one major functional contrast, viz. the opposition between declarativity (statement) and interrogativity (question), two functions featuring prominently in everyday communication.