Siona

Ecuadorian Siona (Western-Tukanoan) shows a rather distinct prosodic system from that described in other Tukanoan languages. Because of flat monotone responses produced during eliciting sessions in the field, we developed an on-the-spot method for data collection through loosely structured role-playing events involving the use of a script with lines specifically designed to elicit the utterance types. Skits were performed in pairs who stood at approximately 5 meters apart from each other to assure the dialog was vocalised as much as possible though without yelling. Each participant was accompanied by a researcher who provided the lines in Spanish e.g., "What are you doing?". After each line was repeated in Siona, the other participant was asked to respond. Each participant wore a head-mounted microphone and carried a digital recorder in a backpack to allow for mobility during the event. Results provided clear patterns for analysis that were not present during traditional elicitation sessions.