If you are a fan of crossword puzzles, you may have encountered the clue “group of tonal languages” in the New York Times crossword puzzle. This clue, which appeared on December 11, 2022, has a seven-letter answer that may not be obvious to many solvers. What are tonal languages, and why are they relevant to crossword puzzles? In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of tonal languages, provide some examples, and explain how they can make crossword puzzles more challenging and fun.

What are tonal languages?

Tonal languages are languages in which the meaning of a word or phrase depends not only on the arrangement of consonants and vowels but also on the pitch or tone with which the word is spoken. In tonal languages, changing the pitch or tone of a word can alter its meaning, even if the consonants and vowels remain the same. This makes tone an essential linguistic element in these languages

According to some estimates, as many as 70% of the world’s languages are tonal, and they are spoken in almost every continent Some of the most well-known tonal languages are Mandarin Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Yoruba. However, there are many other tonal languages that are less familiar to most people, such as Punjabi, Navajo, and Zulu

How do tonal languages work?

In tonal languages, the pitch patterns typically fall into a limited number of categories or tones, each associated with specific meanings. The most common tones include:

• High Tone (H): Spoken with a high or rising pitch, this tone often indicates a different meaning from the same word pronounced with a different tone.
• Low Tone (L): Spoken with a low or falling pitch, this tone may convey a different meaning from the high tone for the same word.
• Mid Tone (M): Spoken with a neutral or level pitch, this tone may serve as a reference point between high and low tones.
• Rising Tone (HL): Combines a high tone followed by a low tone and may represent a specific meaning distinct from other combinations.
• Falling Tone (LH): Combines a low tone followed by a high tone and can indicate yet another meaning.

For example, the word “ma” in Mandarin Chinese can have four different meanings depending on the tone:

• Mā (high tone): mother
• Má (rising tone): hemp
• Mǎ (falling-rising tone): horse
• Mà (falling tone): scold

In addition, there is a fifth tone called the neutral tone, which has no specific pitch and is used for grammatical purposes.

Why are tonal languages relevant to crossword puzzles?

Tonal languages offer unique linguistic challenges and insights for crossword puzzle solvers. They demonstrate how the same set of phonemes can be assigned multiple meanings through pitch variations. Learning and mastering tonal languages require a keen ear for pitch differences, which can be an intriguing and enriching experience for language lovers

Moreover, tonal languages can provide crossword puzzle constructors with more flexibility and creativity in designing clues and answers. For instance, the clue “group of tonal languages” can have several possible answers, such as CHINESE, THAI, BANTU, or MAYAN These answers can fit into different grid patterns and create interesting wordplay and trivia. Tonal languages can also be used as part of the theme or gimmick of a crossword puzzle, such as using tone marks or symbols to indicate the correct pronunciation of the answers

What is the answer to the clue “group of tonal languages” in the NYT crossword puzzle?

The answer to the clue “group of tonal languages” in the NYT crossword puzzle on December 11, 2022, is CHINESE. This answer is based on the fact that Chinese is a widely spoken tonal language that has four main tones and a neutral tone. Chinese is also a common answer for crossword puzzles, as it has many letters that are useful for filling in the grid, such as C, H, I, N, and E

However, as we have seen, there are many other possible answers for this clue, depending on the context and the constraints of the puzzle. Therefore, it is always advisable to check the crossing words and the clues for confirmation. Solving crossword puzzles that involve tonal languages can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity for anyone who loves languages and puzzles