A quantitative study of Chinese tones
汉语声调计量研究
Chin-chuan Cheng 郑锦全

Abstract 摘要
Some majority and minority tendencies of tonal patterns have been obtained through the use of a computer file of 737 dialect locations. For the first time, the study statistically validates the claim that with the exception of the ‘entering tone’ the tones derived from syllables with Middle Chinese voiced initial consonants are lower than those derived from syllables with Middle Chinese voiceless initial consonants. This study also shows, among other things, that northern dialects have fewer tones and higher pitch values than southern dialects, that high tones predominate in most dialects, and that the falling tone occurs more frequently than any other tonal contour. Historical reconstruction of tones and dialect affinity are discussed in the light of these general tendencies.