Overview of symbols and conventions
In the ToDI transcription system, an intonation contour is a melodic pattern which occurs in an Intonational Phrase. Each contour consists of a number of tones, H(igh) and L(ow). The notation T is used to refer to either H or L. These tones occur in two locations:
- at the edges of Intonational Phrases
- at accented syllables
Intonational Phrases are demarcated by %. Not every edge will have a tone. Tones occurring at IP edges are notated %T (initial boundary tone) or T% (final boundary tone). Every accented syllable is marked by a tone or a cluster of tones, called a 'pitch accent'. The first tone of a pitch accent is notated T*. A T* may be followed by further tones to describe the movement from the accented syllable onward.
Here is an example:
All the symbols will be explained in the text. By way of quick reference guide, a list of each element is given, as well as a list of all pitch accents, with approximate indications when they are used.
Symbols
| H* | L* | high/low accent |
| H | L | upward/downward movement after L*/H* |
| H% | L% | rising/low ending of IP |
| %H | %L | high/low beginning of IP |
| %HL | Initial falling pitch not marking accent | |
| % | half-completed fall/rise at end of IP | |
| !H* | downstepped H* | |
The pitch accents, in the order as they appear in the symbol bank:
| H*L | High fall from accented syllable |
| !H*L | Low fall from accented syllable, also called 'downstepped fall' |
| H* | High level from accented syllable |
| !H* | Lowered level from accented syllable, also 'downstepped level' |
| H*LH | Pre-final steep fall followed by a gradual rise towards the next accented Syllable, also 'pre-nuclear fall-rise' |
| L*!HL | Low rise fall from accented syllable, also 'downstepped delayed peak' |
| L*H | Rise from low from accented syllable |
| H*!H | Vocative chant |
The melodic shape of the contour is defined by the consecutive contour shapes defined by the boundary tones and the pitch accents.