Uni- and Multi-Phonational Tone Systems: State, Definition, and Evolution

In the first section, this chapter concludes the study with the necessity to include phonation type in the definition of tones and to set syllable as the unit for phonetics. The second section explores the causes of tone evolution according to our studies of the first-hand acoustic materials and other typological studies of Chinese and world’s tones. Phonetic causes are the main power to start, propel, and confine tone changes. On the Jianghan Plain, tone evolution is initiated by phonation changes, and tone systems are evolving towards Efficient Distribution Pattern.