Explain the concept of autosegmental phonology and its analysis of tone.

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Explain the concept of autosegmental phonology and its analysis of tone.

Autosegmental phonology is a framework within phonology that analyzes phonological features as separate entities, or segments, which can be represented on different tiers. It allows for a more detailed analysis of tone, which is a phonological feature that distinguishes the pitch or melody of a sound.

In autosegmental phonology, tone is represented on a separate tier called the tone tier. This tier is independent of the segmental tier, which represents consonants and vowels. Each tone is represented as a separate autosegment, or a unit on the tone tier, and it can be associated with one or more segments.

The analysis of tone in autosegmental phonology involves examining the interactions between tones and segments. For example, a tone may spread or associate with multiple segments, or it may be restricted to a specific segment. These interactions are represented using various phonological rules and notations.

Autosegmental phonology also allows for the analysis of tone sandhi, which refers to the changes in tone that occur when certain tones come into contact with each other. These changes can include tone assimilation, tone deletion, or tone contour changes.

Overall, autosegmental phonology provides a more comprehensive and detailed analysis of tone by representing it as separate entities on a dedicated tier, allowing for a better understanding of its interactions with segments and its role in phonological processes.