Chinese Phonology Research Articles

A formalized statement of traditional terminology in Middle Chinese phonology

Abstract Ever since its birth in the pre-linguistic period, traditional Chinese phonology has contributed essentially to the study, both philological and linguistic, of historical Chinese phonology; nevertheless, a systematic retrospect of this academic custom from the pure perspective of linguistics remains largely blank. Concentrating on classical philological resources, this essay works out a clearly defined set of terminology with little dependence on the phonetic natures of these units, which may serve as an evaluative metric on the phonological reconstruction of Middle Chinese as well as a review of the long-ignored academic tradition of phonological studies in ancient Chinese philology.

An Investigation of English-Majored Students’ Perspectives on Improving the Learning of Chinese as A Second Foreign Language

This study focuses on surveying the opinions of specialized language students on improving the quality of second foreign language learning, Chinese. Based on the perspectives of 133 students through responses to questionnaires about their knowledge, skills, and attitudes, the results show that students have a clear understanding of their level and learning attitude, but are less confident in their Chinese ability due to the differences between their mother tongue and specialized languages. They also have difficulty learning two languages at the same time. However, students have a positive attitude and passion for learning Chinese, largely because they have been exposed to it from an early age through movies and music. At the same time, the study also explores the factors that affect learning Chinese, including external factors such as the phonology, grammar and characters of Chinese, training time, and teaching methods; along with internal factors such as students' ability to absorb new knowledge, level of concentration and motivation to learn. Finally, the students and the authors also suggest some ways to improve the quality of Chinese learning as a second foreign language for students. This is an important basis for improving and optimizing the current Chinese language teaching program.

The Negative Transfer of Chinese Phonology on Students English Accents and Its Impact on Accent Perception

The Negative Transfer of Chinese Phonology on Students English Accents and Its Impact on Accent Perception

토욕혼(吐谷渾) 명칭 재고찰

The naming issues of the Tuyuhun tribe has long been a focus of academic research on Tuyuhun history, with abundant research findings both domestically and internationally. On the basis of previous research, this article employs methods such as Chinese phonology, ethnic history and literature to study the pronunciation of terms such as “吐谷渾(Tuyuhun)”, “退渾(Tuihun)”, “吐渾(Tuhun)”, “吐谷(Tuyu)”, and “渾(Hun)”. It reconstructs their pronunciation and studies the meanings behind terms such as “阿柴虜(A-chailu)”, “貲虜(Zilu)”, “河南(Henan)”, “阿貲虜(A-zilu)”, “野虜(Yelu)”, and “va zha(A-za)”, which may increase the understanding of ethnic nomenclature. In fact, “退渾(Tuihun)”, “吐渾(Tuhun)”, “渾(Hun)”, and “吐谷”(Tuyu)” are all variant readings and abbreviations of “吐谷渾”(Tuyuhun). “阿貲”(A-zi) and the ancient Tibetan A-za(also written as va zha, translated as “阿夏” in Chinese) share the same pronunciation but differ in translations of the name “阿柴 (A-chai)”. “阿柴虜(A-chailu)”, “貲虜(Zilu)”, “阿貲虜(A-zilu)”, and “野虜(Yelu)” are surnames of some Xianbei people who settled in the Hexi region. These surname also serve as derogatory terms for “吐谷渾(Tuyuhun)”. However, a cautious attitude should be taken in the interpretation of the name “吐谷渾(Tuyuhun)”. In the absence of clear and direct interpretation records, premature conclusions are not advisable.

有關《廣雅疏證》中 C-l-/C-r-式聯綿詞的考察

Binomes(聯綿詞) have been extensively discussed in various studies as evidence of the existence of initial clusters(複輔音) in Old Chinese. Notably, binomes with the second syllable being consonant “r-” or “l-” have been particularly emphasized and utilized as evidence for the study of initial clusters. As a consequence, the prevailing consensus among scholars posits that binomes emerged through the division of initial clusters. However, the specific phonetic processes that led to the evolution of binomes from initial clusters remain a relatively understudied aspect. This paper aims to meticulously analyze the C-l-/C-r- binomes found within the compilation “Guangyashuzheng(廣雅疏證)”, a repository containing a plethora of binomes from the Old Chinese period. Guided by the theoretical framework of Zheng-Zhang Shangfang's Old Chinese phonology, this study undertakes the task of categorizing the binomes into discrete groups: K-l-/K-r- binomes, Q-l-/Q-r- binomes, P-l-/P-r- binomes, and S-l-/S-r- binomes. Through a comprehensive analysis, the paper delves into the intricate phonetic relationships that exist between binomes and initial clusters. As a result of this extensive examination, it becomes evident that certain binomes indeed emerged through the fragmentation of initial clusters. This substantiates the necessity for further refinement of our comprehension of the initial cluster system within Old Chinese linguistic structures.

魏志倭人傳과 古代日本資料에서의 表記字에 관한 小考

The purpose of this paper is to more clearly understand the phonology of Wajinden through comparison with ancient Korean and Japanese materials. The subjects of the study were 蘇 and 奴, which have different phonetic values from ancient Japanese materials among the phonetic transcriptions shown in the Wajinden. As for the research method, the phonetic values of 蘇 and 奴 shown in the Wajinden were examined through the estimated Old Chinese phonology, the Fanqie(反切) in a Rhyme Dictionary(韻書), the phonetic values by scholars, and the examples of ancient Korean and Japanese materials.
 As a conclusion of the study, it was found that 蘇 and 奴 shown in the Wajinden are the markers for the syllables of [sa] and [na]. In Wajinden, 蘇 is a notation for the syllable of [sa さ], and all of them were used as national names. In ancient Japanese sources, 蘇 represents the sound of [so ソ].
 As a result of the study of 蘇, first, the phonetic value of the estimated Old Chinese phonology was divided into [sa] and [so], and the phonetic value estimated through the Fanqie(反切) in a Rhyme Dictionary(韻書) was [so]. However, since the sound values shown in a Rhyme Dictionary(韻書) is in Middle-Old Chinese phonology, the authenticity is questionable. second, through the place names and names of people in Goguryeo and Baekje, the corresponding relationship of 蘇：斯：史：泗：所 is established, and it is read as [sa]. Considering these points, it can be said that 蘇 represents the sound value of [sa].
 In addition, there are 16 examples of the use of 奴, which can be found in Wajinden, and all refer to proper nouns such as the name of an official position or the name of a country. Among them, only one usage shows the sound value of [nu ぬ], and the remaining 15 usage examples show the sound value of [na な]. In ancient Japanese sources, the sound values of [nuヌ, noノ, doド] are indicated.
 As a result of consideration, first, as with 蘇, the estimated upper ancient sound of 奴 is divided into [nu] and [na], and the phonetic value estimated through the Fanqie(反切) in a Rhyme Dictionary(韻書) and Ōno's indication was [no], but the time of compilation of a Rhyme Dictionary(韻書) is Middle-Old Chinese phonology. second, the corresponding relationship between 奴=那=弩=內=儒 and 奴=那 can be confirmed through the geographical names and five tribes in the SamgukSagi. third, it was confirmed that 奴 represents the sound value of [na] in the name notation of Nihonsyoki. Through this fact, the sound value of 奴 can be read as [na].

A Study on Sino-Korean Pronunciation in Joseon (Yi Dynasty), by Gwang-u NAM (Seoul: Ilchokak, 1973) - Exploring Sino-Korean Pronunciation in Korea beyond the Bounds of Historical Chinese Phonology -

A Study on Sino-Korean Pronunciation in Joseon (Yi Dynasty), by Gwang-u NAM (Seoul: Ilchokak, 1973) - Exploring Sino-Korean Pronunciation in Korea beyond the Bounds of Historical Chinese Phonology -

Recent Researches of Insular Southeast Asia and the Problem of Srivijaya

Historical geography of early Southeast Asia remains a point at issue since the late nineteenth century. Since George Cœdès discovered ‘The Kingdom of Srivijaya’ in his 1918 paper, its history, chronology, and localization is still a subject of long debates despite a few data available. While the center of Srivijaya may be located in the area of modern Palembang in South Sumatra because of Old Malay and Sanskrit inscriptions and other archaeological findings, there is still a problem of its long-term polity which presumably survived for several centuries, changed its name from Shilifoshi 室利佛逝to Sanfoqi 三佛斉in Chinese texts in the tenth century, controlled the Malacca Strait, fought with Javanese kingdoms and built monasteries in South India. Srivijaya is often called а empire or thalassocracy. The basic methodology implies a juxtaposing of epigraphy, archaeological data, and the Arab and Chinese texts. But one should take into account specific features of any testimony survived as well as one should use historical phonology of Old and Middle Chinese. Recent researches of Stephen Haw, Johannes Kurz, and Liam Kelly offer new interpretations of the Chinese sources which deal with Shilifoshi and Sanfoqi. The present paper gives an overview of recent scholarship of Srivijaya and early Southeast Asian historical geography. Haw’s conclusion that the Sunda Strait was a major maritime route in the fifth to eighth centuries seems well-grounded. Kurz’s statement that Sanfoqi could not be Shilifoshi also seems plausible. But Haw’s phonetic reconstructions are probably not reliable.

The Language of Táng Poetry as Entryway into the Spoken Language of the Táng: A Preliminary Exploration

Abstract: This study examines features of the living colloquial language of the Táng Dynasty as found to be reflected in Táng poetry. The operating postulate for this study is that Táng poetry and its prosody had a strong orality, and hence also had a connection to the spoken language that went beyond the formulaic and codified system of Middle Chinese phonology. A corollary to this postulate is that across and between regional varieties, or dialects, of the Táng spoken language there also was a prestige koine, that had evolved out of those spoken dialects and that had wide currency in the Táng empire. Within that linguistic environment, colloquial elements are found in Táng poems that fall outside the received phonology or that comprise words not found in Chinese prior to the Táng. These colloquial elements are of particular utility in characterizing the colloquial and regional nature of the Táng language. Such colloquial forms can be uncovered, for example, where a syllable is found in an unexpected tone category in order to fit a poem's expected prosody. This study considers examples of these kinds of unexpected forms that are identified in passages cited by Jiǎng Shàoyú 蒋绍愚 in his 1990 study, Tángshī yǔyán yánjiū 唐诗语言研究. The examination finds that while Táng prosody is more closely reflected in the modern southern dialects, colloquial words and elements that made their way into poetry in Táng times more commonly originated in the regional northern dialects of the period, or in the Táng koine, or in both. Finally, two appendices are included following the main body of this study. The first is a detailed and annotated translation of a short passage discussing tone variants in Táng poety in Jiǎng Shàoyú 1990. The second is a brief outline of Táng poetic prosody that provides some background to the issues of tone that underly the analysis.

朝鲜朝“汉语质正官”崔世珍及其成就

During the Korean Dynasty (1391-1910), the “quality officials” played an important role in the spread of Chinese to the Korean peninsula, and played an important role in the history of Sino Korean language and cultural exchanges. Cui Shizhen went to China for many times as a “quality official” to “improve Chinese”. As an important practitioner of “improve Chinese” activities, Cui Shizhen has played a positive role in promoting Chinese teaching and research in North Korea, and has a far-reaching impact. The research on Cui Shizhen's achievements in Sinology from the perspective of “quality and integrity” is of great value to the research on the history of Chinese phonology in East Asia and the comparative linguistics of East Asian history from the perspective of sinology abroad. The ancient rhyme script on the Korean Peninsula is included as an important part of the study of the history of Chinese rhyme script, which provides a new basis for promoting the collation and study of the ancient rhyme script on the Korean Peninsula in China, as well as the study of the history of regional language relations in Northeast Asia from the perspective of “regional countries”, the study of the history of the spread of Chinese culture outside the region, and the study of intangible cultural heritage between China and the Korean Peninsula. Cui Shizhen also presented Chinese books to the King of Korea in the above “True Records”. This shows that if the “quality official” is taken as a breakthrough, it will find a new support for the study of the origin and development of the Sino Korean (Korean) language and culture. The ancient rhyme script on the Korean Peninsula is an important part of the study of the history of rhyme script on China and the Korean Peninsula. It carries the excellent traditional culture of China and the Korean Peninsula, and reflects the diachronic evolution of language, literature, culture, ideology, education and other fields. “Quality officials” play an important role in the communication and acceptance of the above fields.

An Analysis of the Current Situation of the "Chinese Phonology and Speech" Course in Elementary School Teacher Training

<p>對教師而言，口語是傳達教學內容的重要媒介。在臺灣的國小師資培育課程中，與教師口語表達緊密相關的重要課程為「國音及說話」，其亦為師資生「教學基本學科課程」與各科教材教法的先修課程，足見此課程之重要性。本文研究目的在瞭解「國音及說話」課程內容與實施，故以課程大綱與授課教師為研究對象，探討此課程的課程目標、課程內容、授課方法與評量方式。首先由教育部大學校院課程資源網查詢106到110年，共計五個學年度、294門「國音及說話」課程，刪去重覆教師與課程大綱不完整者，共計44門。研究採取內容分析法分析課綱，並根據文獻探討與課程大綱分析結果做為擬定訪談題綱的基礎，而後訪談8位授課教師，最後比對與分析所得資料並提出結論。研究結果有四，一是課程目標兼顧國音理論與說話實務；二是課程內容重國音理論、輕說話實務；三是授課方法多採取教師講授國音理論、師資生練習說話實務的方式進行，但因修課人數過多、授課時數不足之故，導致實務練習不足；四是在評量方式上，多以紙筆測驗來評量國音理論知識，以口語練習或測試來評量說話能力，但口試未有相關標準與方式。研究者將針對此研究結果提出相關建議，並希望此研究能提供國小師資培育大學開設「國音及說話」課程的參考。</p> <p> </p><p>For teachers, oral language is an important medium for conveying teaching content. In Taiwan’s elementary school teacher training courses, the compulsory course closely related to teachers’ oral expression is "Chinese Phonology and Speech". This study aimed to understand the content and implementation of the "Chinese Phonology and Speech" course in such training and took. the curriculum syllabus and teachers as the research objects to discusses the curriculum objectives, content, teaching methods and evaluation methods. First, the Ministry of Education’s "University and College Course Information website" investigated the "Chinese Phonology and Speech" courses for five academic years from 2017 to2021. In total, forty-four courses, with repeated teachers and incomplete syllabus, were deleted. This research adopted the content analysis method to analyze the syllabus. Based on the literature discussion and syllabus analysis results for setting up the interview questions, it then conducted interviews with eight teachers. There were four research results. First, the curriculum objectives took into account both the theory of the national accent and the practice of speaking. Second, the course content emphasizes the theory of the national accent and neglects the practice of speaking. Third, students practice speaking in a practical way, but because the number of students in a class i too large and the number of teaching hours was insufficient, they still feel that the practical practice i insufficient. Fourth, in terms of assessment methods, paper and pencil tests were often used to evaluate teachers and students’ national pronunciation theoretical knowledge, while the speaking abilities of teachers and students were assessed by oral practice or tests. There were no relevant standards and methods for the oral tests. This study puts forward relevant suggestions based on the results herein so as to provide a reference for the "Chinese Phonology and Speech" courses offered by elementary school teacher training universities.</p> <p> </p>

重新驗證新構上古音系統的一部多元音説———以安大簡《詩經》爲主要探討對象

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.
 對於上古漢語元音系統的構擬，目前學界有“一部一元音説”與“一部多元音説”兩種看法。爲了探討“一部一元音説”與“一部多元音説”的分歧，本文擬由《安徽大學藏戰國竹簡（一）》———目前出土文獻所見最早傳抄版本的《詩經》進行韻腳系聯，以音位及押韻條件重新驗證新構上古音學者的“一部多元音説”。
 There are two theories on the Old Chinese vowel system: one is “one rhyme group with one vowel” and the other is “one rhyme group with multiple vowels.” The rhymes of the Book of Odes are one of the most important materials for the reconstruction of ancient Chinese phonology, especially in examining the differences between these two theories. This paper aims to re-examine the one on “one rhyme group with multiple vowels” by scrutinizing the phonemes and rhymes of the earliest version of the Book of Odes inscribed on the bamboo slips preserved in Anhui University.

From form to sound 自形至聲: visual and aural representations of premodern Chinese phonology and phonorhetoric with applications for phonetic scripts

From form to sound 自形至聲: visual and aural representations of premodern Chinese phonology and phonorhetoric with applications for phonetic scripts

Penerapan Modul Digital Fonologi Bahasa Mandarin pada Mahasiswa Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa Mandarin Universitas Negeri Malang

The aim of this study is: (1) to describe the application of the Chinese phonology digital module to students of the Chinese Language Education Study Program, and (2) to describe the student's response to the Chinese phonology digital module. This study used the descriptive qualitative method. The data sources used in this study were students of the Mandarin Language Education Study Program, Universitas Negeri Malang. The data from this study were obtained from observations and interviews. The results of observations from this study indicate that learning activities by applying this digital module can run smoothly and according to plan. Students are enthusiastic about participating in all learning activities. In addition, students can also understand Chinese phonological material easily. Based on the interview results, it can be seen that the Chinese phonology digital module makes it easier for students to learn Chinese phonology anywhere and anytime.

The Birth of a Field: Joshua Marshman and the Beginning of Systematic Transcriptional/Reconstructive Studies on Chinese Historical Phonology

AbstractThis article evaluates the pioneering works on Chinese historical phonology by Joshua Marshman (1768–1837), who is routinely credited as the first scholar to have produced a romanisation of the Chinese language for English speakers. This article seeks to demonstrate that Marshman's transcriptional/reconstructive approach has led to an advancement in the field of Chinese historical phonology mainly on two aspects: (i) it led to the establishment of a general theory of phonetic description; (ii) it paved the way to the formulation of a mechanic and systematic model for the individuation of sound changes. For these reasons, Marshman must be regarded as the first real forerunner of modern historical Chinese phonology.

Review of Zhang (2020): Contrastive Studies of English and Chinese Phonology

Review of Zhang (2020): Contrastive Studies of English and Chinese Phonology

Which ‘That’ Was Amharic Yä-? An Alternative Origin for the Amharic Relative-Genitive Marker

Abstract This article re-evaluates arguments regarding the previously proposed origin of the Amharic relative-genitive marker yä-. The traditional proposal relies on the attestation of a ž- form in Tigrinya (Praetorius 1874) and reconstructs a form *zä- (the same as the Ge′ez relative) for yä-. However, no such form is attested in Old Amharic writing (Girma Awgichew 2014), even though it has convenient orthographic conventions for recording palatalized consonants. Based on the attested levelling of l- forms of the relative marker in Ethiopian Semitic and Modern Arabic, I propose deriving the Amharic relative- genitive marker yä- from a levelled plural relative marker containing l, an element visible in the demonstrative paradigms of Ethiopian Semitic. This alternative derivation fits the synchronic Amharic phonology in which the lateral liquid l becomes the palatal glide y. In addition, it follows the cross-linguistically common palatalization process similarly attested for l in the historical phonology of other languages, e.g. Berber, Romance and Chinese.

Chinese Writing System

With an aim to assist the Chinese learners to have comprehensive understanding and overall knowledge about Chinese character and writing, this paper mainly discusses the origin and development of Chinese character and writing, analyzes the structure of Chinese character, the phonology of Chinese (Pronunciation) and the reform of Chinese.

500 years of Old Chinese phonology

Abstract This article introduces research on Old Chinese phonology before the Qing dynasty by reviewing the important relevant literature of recent intellectual historians. The article has six parts. The first section is an introduction. The second through fourth parts review the views and arguments over how to understand the works of several important linguists, treating respectively the Southern Song (§ 2, containing Wú Yù 吳棫, Zhū Xī 朱熹 etc.), the Yuan (§ 3, containing Dài Tóng 戴侗, Liú Yùrǔ 劉玉汝, Xióng Pénglái 熊朋來 etc.), and the Ming (§ 4, containing Yáng Shèn 楊慎, Jiāo Hóng 焦竑, Chén Dì 陳第 etc.). Section 5 discusses several methodological issues that concern researchers today, including the historical emergence of three methodologies and methodological issues in researching the history of scholarship. Finally, I point out those topics in need of further investigation.

From Qièyùn to Guǎngyùn

Abstract The Qièyùn Series rime books (Qièyùn-xì yùnshū 切韻系韻書), not only the two complete editions, the Kānmiù Bǔquē Qièyùn 刊謬補缺切韻 (also known as Wángyùn 王韻) and Guǎngyùn 廣韻, but also many other fragments, are of great importance in studying Middle Chinese phonology. This paper aims to comprehensively introduce the materials of the Qièyùn Series rime books, from the original Qièyùn 切韻 to later revised editions until the Five Dynasties (Wǔdài 五代), including essential research on them. And finally, by using specific examples, this article summarized the development from the Qièyùn 切韻 to the Guǎngyùn 廣韻 through the four-century-long history of revision and extension.