Zhihao just defended his thesis—huge congratulations! 🎉 His dissertation explores the internal structure of contour tone systems in Asian tonal languages, which remains under-researched compared to consonants and vowels. It examines three key aspects: the contour shapes of tones, their markedness hierarchy, and perceptual similarity based on auditory and cognitive factors. The study employs experimental production data, corpus analysis of loanword tonal patterns, and statistical methods such as rhyming frequency to analyze these structures. Through case studies of Chinese dialects, it aims to deepen understanding of how contour tones are organized and perceived, with future research expected to expand these insights across more Asian languages. Not only did he conquer his dissertation, but he also scored a tenure-track position—stay tuned for the exciting details! We’re all so proud and thrilled for you, Zhihao!
