Do the tones end up being a big deciding factor in the melody of the song? For example, how much different would Twinkle Twinkle Little Star sound in Chinese vs English because of the different use of tone?
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The tones are NOT a part of the melody. The way its sang is different from its spoken tone.
howver, you’re right that the intonation can change the meaning of the words.
Individual words might have their meanings switched, but based on the context of the lyrics, title of the song, we can quite automatically assume its meaning.
In the example of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
一闪一闪亮晶晶 (Yī shǎn yī shǎn liàngjīngjīng) the correct one
衣山衣山量斤斤 (Yīshān yī shān liàng jīnjīn) a mix of similar sounding words.
The first one is the correct lyrics, 2nd one is a jumbled up verse about
A Mountain of clothes, weight a pound . Just hearing it, i would assume its the first correct verse.
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