Appendix B: Tone

Different tones have different meanings.

There are four tones by the pitches:

• 1st tone is flat: neutral sound. i.e., Mā as mother.
• 2nd tone is low – high pitch. i.e., as Má as numb.
• 3rd tone is high – low– high pitch. i.e., Mă as horse.
• 4th tone is high – low pitch. i.e. Mà as scold.