A Sociophonetic Study of the Lexical Tones in Macau Mandarin

Abstract

In multilingual Macau, Macau Mandarin (MacM) exhibits substantial variation due to its complex linguistic landscape. This study investigates lexical tones in MacM, focusing on differences across age and gender group. Twenty-four fluent Mandarin speakers were recruited and stratified by age and gender. The findings reveal a reduced tonal space in MacM compared to Putonghua, the standard form of Mandarin used in mainland China, which partly results from physiological factors. Additionally, despite clear first-language (L1) influence on MacM across all age groups, this study identifies generational differences in tonal production. Younger speakers demonstrate greater assimilation toward Putonghua, likely reflecting the increasing use of Mandarin by the younger generation. Gender also appears to interact with age-related patterns, as females seem more likely to lead T2 and T3 tonal mergers in MacM. This study offers valuable insights into the current characteristics and future trends of MacM tones, providing new evidence on the factors influencing tonal variation and advancing a more nuanced understanding of these dynamics.

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