Shayang: Falsetto Yangping

This chapter reveals the co-occurrence of a di-phonational five-tone system including a falsetto Yangping and a uni-phonational four-tone system in Shayang. These two systems demonstrate strong evolutionary correlations. The degree of falsetto voice differs among speakers. Acoustic data also suggest speakers’ differences in the place of articulation of their fricative and affricate initials. Shayang varieties apply the trill r and aspirated plosive/affricate initials in the MC non-Ping syllables. These are special in the five counties.