The tone of Cantonese is a special kind of consonant.
Tone is regulated by the tension of the vocal cords.
The tighter the vocal cords, the higher the tone. The looser the vocal cords, the lower the tone.
1. When a person is not speaking and is breathing normally, the vocal cords are in a natural state. If there is no external force changing the tension of the vocal cords, only emitting consonants and vowels, the sound produced at this time can be referred to as toneless, or basic tone. This basic tone is essentially what is traditionally known as the third tone.
2. If during pronunciation, the tongue is moved as close to the hard palate as possible, thus palatalizing the syllable, the traditional first tone is produced. Therefore, in Liujgoj Cantonese, the symbol [j] representing palatalization is used to denote the first tone.
3. If during pronunciation, an alveolar trill [r] is added to the syllable but the trill is lost instantly, the traditional second tone is achieved. Therefore, in Liujgoj Cantonese, the symbol [r] representing the alveolar trill is used to denote the second tone.
4. If during pronunciation, a velar fricative [x] is added to the syllable but the frication is lost instantly, the traditional fourth tone is produced. Therefore, in Liujgoj Cantonese, the symbol [x] representing the glottal fricative is used to denote the fourth tone.
5. If during pronunciation, a uvular plosive [q] is added to the syllable but the plosive is lost instantly, the traditional fifth tone is achieved. Therefore, in singing Cantonese, the symbol [q] representing the uvular plosive is used to denote the fifth tone.
6. If during pronunciation, a glottal fricative [h] is added to the syllable but the frication is lost instantly, the traditional sixth tone is produced. Therefore, in Liujgoj Cantonese, the symbol [h] representing the glottal fricative is used to denote the sixth tone.
Therefore, the tone of Cantonese can be considered as a special kind of consonant.