In:Typology of Writing Systems
Edited by S. Borgwaldt and Terry Joyce
[Benjamins Current Topics 51] 2013
► pp. 85–112
A tone orthography typology
Published online: 27 June 2013
https://doi.org/10.1075/bct.51.05rob
https://doi.org/10.1075/bct.51.05rob
Discussions about tone orthography have long been hampered by imprecise terminology. This article aims to bring clarity by means of an explicit typology composed of six parameters. Each parameter is defined by a choice: domain, target, symbol, position, density, and depth. The orthographer assesses each typological aspect individually, while always bearing in mind that the six parameters together generate a complex matrix of responses. The result is a precise and informative character profile for any Roman script tone orthography. Keywords: typology; tone; orthography; orthographic depth
Cited by (8)
Cited by eight other publications
Share, David L.
Roberts, David, Matthew Harley & Stephen L. Walter
2022. The contribution of full tone marking to oral reading fluency and comprehension in Yoruba and Ife. Written Language & Literacy 25:2 ► pp. 253 ff.
Roberts, David, Johannes Merz & JeDene Reeder
2021. Introduction. In Tone Orthography and Literacy [Studies in Written Language and Literacy, 18], ► pp. 3 ff.
Roberts, David, JeDene Reeder & Valentin Vydrin
2021. Eastern Dan. In Tone Orthography and Literacy [Studies in Written Language and Literacy, 18], ► pp. 85 ff.
Roberts, David & Stephen L Walter
Roberts, David
2014. Review of Mumin & Versteegh (2014): The Arabic script in Africa: Studies in the use of a writing system. Written Language & Literacy 17:2 ► pp. 308 ff.
Roberts, David
[no author supplied]
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 10 december 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.