Discuss tonality, tonicity and tone with examples and also briefly comment on the role of intonation in tonal languages.

 Let's delve into the concepts of tonality, tonicity, and tone, elucidating their meanings and significance with illustrative examples. We'll also touch upon the crucial function of intonation in tonal languages.

Tonality

In the realm of music, tonality pertains to the hierarchical organization of pitches and chords around a central tone, referred to as the tonic. It establishes a sense of key or scale, imparting a distinct character to the music. For instance, a piece in C major tonality revolves around the note C, with other notes and chords assuming their roles in relation to this central tonic. Tonality creates expectations and resolutions, contributing to the overall structure and emotional impact of the music.  

Tonicity

Shifting our focus to biology, tonicity denotes the relative concentration of solutes in a solution compared to another solution across a semipermeable membrane. It determines the direction and extent of water movement (osmosis) between the two solutions. For example, a cell placed in a hypertonic solution (higher solute concentration outside) will shrink as water moves out, while a cell in a hypotonic solution (lower solute concentration outside) will swell as water moves in. Isotonic solutions, with equal solute concentrations, maintain cell volume.  

Tone

In various contexts, tone signifies the quality or character of a sound, expression, or attitude.  

• In music, tone refers to the timbre or color of a sound, distinguishing instruments or voices. The warm tone of a cello contrasts with the bright tone of a trumpet.  
• In literature, tone denotes the author's attitude towards the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice, style, and imagery. A humorous tone evokes laughter, while a somber tone creates a sense of gravity.  
• In linguistics, tone pertains to the pitch patterns used to distinguish word meanings in tonal languages like Mandarin Chinese or Yoruba. The same syllable can convey different meanings depending on its tone.  

Role of Intonation in Tonal Languages

Intonation, the rise and fall of pitch in speech, assumes a critical role in tonal languages. It serves not merely to convey emotion or emphasis but to differentiate word meanings. A change in tone can alter the entire meaning of a word. In Mandarin, for instance, "ma" can mean "mother," "horse," "hemp," or a question particle, depending on its tone. Intonation is thus an integral part of the grammar and lexicon of tonal languages.  

In essence, tonality, tonicity, and tone are multifaceted concepts with diverse applications. They underscore the importance of pitch, concentration, and attitude in music, biology, literature, and linguistics. Intonation, particularly in tonal languages, serves as a linguistic tool, shaping meaning and facilitating communication.