Focus and Intonation in Dimasa

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Shakuntala Mahanta, Bibungshri Boro, Priti Raychoudhury

Published: 2023, Last Modified: 08 Jan 2026O-COCOSDA 2023EveryoneRevisionsBibTeXCC BY-SA 4.0
Abstract: This study examines the intonation patterns of the Dimasa language, particularly the Dima Hasao variation used in the North Cachar Hills District of Assam. Despite being a tonal language, Dimasa demonstrates unusual intonational characteristics, such as prominence on the first lexical item and phrase final lowering. The study also emphasizes how focus in Dimasa sentences is the result of pitch register modification without any other intonational effects.