關於下降音(falling contour)的音高範圍(pitch accent range)發展，生理學派和語言學派持不同意見。生理學派的提倡者─利伯曼(Lieberman)在1967年提出了呼吸群理論，認為下降音受生理構造影響，因此其發展是直線的。另一方面，語言學派史諾(Snow)在2006年支持語言學派，認為下降音受周遭語言(ambient language)影響，因此其發展是非直線的。另外，史諾在2006年提到了退化以及重組(regression and reorganization)的現象，表示在音高發展成熟前，幼兒的音高範圍會出現退化的現象。在史諾2006年的研究，幼兒音高範圍的發展呈現U型的趨勢，在3到5個月之間，幼兒的音高範圍下降了，在18到20個月之間，幼兒的音高範圍上升了。
本研究的主要目的是要描述三位以中文為母語幼兒3到23個月音高範圍的發展。第二個目的是希望從理論的角度解釋幼兒在第3個月到第23個月之間音高範圍的發展。一共有三位幼兒參與這項研究。錄音的過程中分別有幼兒、照顧者以及一位錄音人員。單音節的音會以聲學的方式來分析不同。研究發現，音高範圍的發展是非直線發展。一位幼兒的音高範圍發展呈現了退化以及重組的現象，在3到5個月之間，幼兒的音高範圍下降了，在12到14個月之間，幼兒的音高範圍上升了。這一位幼兒的退化以及重組的現象出現的時間早於史諾在2006年裡的發現。統計結果指出年齡對音高範圍的發展有顯著的影響。研究結果推論出幼兒的音高發展受到語言和生理機制的影響。

Biological and linguistic approaches proposed different views towards the development of pitch production. Lieberman (1967) proposed breath group theory which is the biological approach indicating that falling contour is influenced by physiological mechanism, and thus it will develop in a linear pattern. On the other hand, Snow (2006) supports a linguistic approach which assumes that falling contour is influenced by the ambient language. Thus, it will develop in a non-linear way. Moreover, Snow (2006) mentioned about regression and reorganization processes in the development of pitch accent range. It means that children will return to a less advanced state for a few months before they complete pitch acquisition. A U-shaped pattern was observed in Snow (2006)’s study, with a decrease in accent range at the age of 3-5 months, and an increase in accent range at the age of 18-20 months.
The primary goal of this study was to describe the developmental patterns of pitch accent range in three Mandarin-learning children. The secondary goal was to provide a theoretical account for the development of pitch accent range in infants between the ages of 3 and 23 months. Three children participated in individual play sessions with their caregivers and an experimenter. Monosyllabic utterances produced by each child were acoustically analyzed. A non-linear pattern was found in the development of pitch production. Regression and reorganization process was observed in one child with a decrease in accent range at the age of 3-5 month, and an increase in accent range at the age of 12-14 months. The regression and reorganization process appeared earlier than the one observed in Snow (2006). Statistical results showed that pitch accent range was influenced by age but not contour directions nor syllable duration. The study concluded that both linguistic and biological influences are reflected in the pitch production of young infants.
Keywords: Pitch production, regression and reorganization of pitch accent range, Mandarin-learning children

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