The phonemes and the phonological structure of the Yangzhou dialect
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: The phonemes and the phonological structure of the Yangzhou dialect
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Vibeke Børdahl
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: The phonemes and the phonological structure of the Yangzhou dialect
Year: 1977 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5138
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
1. Introduction
In this study, Vibeke Børdahl presents a comprehensive analysis of the phonemes and phonological structure of the Yangzhou dialect, a variant of Northern Chinese. The work builds on previous studies conducted by various scholars, which primarily focused on comparative phonetic transcription and historical linguistics. Børdahl critiques these earlier methodologies for their lack of synchronic analysis and necessity to reconstruct Ancient Chinese. The current research emphasizes a phonemic approach to understanding the Yangzhou dialect in its contemporary context, utilizing personal data collected from an informant during her stay in Paris.
2. The Importance of Syllable Structure
A central concept in Børdahl's analysis is the notion that the syllable acts as both a morphological and phonological unit in the Yangzhou dialect. The investigation asserts that despite marginal exceptions, the syllable remains the fundamental building block of both phonology and meaning. The author utilizes the commutation test to identify phonemes and tonemes within these syllables and explores the relationship between auditory perception and the structural aspects of syllables. This rigorous examination of syllables emphasizes the importance of segmental sounds and how they contribute to the overall phonological system.
3. Phonetic Inventory and Final Units
Børdahl provides a detailed phonetic inventory of the Yangzhou dialect, categorizing its initial consonantal units and final units, including various vowel attributes. She distinguishes between long and short finals and outlines the specific combinations of these units. The research not only compiles different sound categories but also places emphasis on the phonetic nuances associated with vowels and consonants. For example, the identification of long finals and their interaction with nasal and glottal elements showcases the intricate nature of phonetic combinations that characterize the dialect.
4. Tone Dynamics in Language
The study also highlights the role of tones in the Yangzhou dialect, recognizing that tonal features are influenced by intonation and stress patterns. Børdahl addresses potential challenges in effectively capturing tonal nuances due to the variability introduced by rapid or careless speech. Such dynamics can lead to neutralization of phonemic oppositions, which complicates the analysis of morphophonemic tone changes. Børdahl's focus on context-sensitive tone variations emphasizes the need for careful examination of syntactic constructions to grasp the full phonetic complexity of the dialect, encouraging a more holistic understanding of tone within the language.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, Vibeke Børdahl's study offers an in-depth phonological analysis of the Yangzhou dialect, highlighting the significance of syllable structure, phonetic inventory, and tonal dynamics. By utilizing a synchronic approach, the research not only builds upon previous work but also addresses methodological shortcomings in the understanding of Chinese dialects. Børdahl’s findings contribute valuable insights into the contemporary linguistic landscape of the Yangzhou dialect and emphasize the need for further exploration into phonetic and phonological distinctions in understudied dialects. This work serves as an important foundation for future linguistic research within the realm of Chinese dialectology.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of Vibeke Børdahl's study?
The study analyzes and discusses the phonological system of the Yangzhou dialect from a synchronic phonemic perspective, differing from previous comparative studies.
How were the data for the Yangzhou dialect collected?
Data were collected from Mr. Chu, a Yangzhou native, in Paris between November 1967 and April 1968, using monologues and phonetic inventories of characters.
What phonetic notation system is used in this study?
The phonetic notation chosen for this study is the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), supplemented by additional symbols to represent specific sounds in the Yangzhou dialect.
What is the significance of tonal study in the Yangzhou dialect?
Studying tones is crucial because they can be influenced by intonation and stress, affecting phonemic oppositions and providing insights into morphophonemic changes in the language.
What are the initial consonantic units noted in the study?
The study describes various initial consonantic units, including labial, dental, and velar sounds, with specific distinctions for voiced, aspirated, and non-aspirated categories.
What challenges did Børdahl face while studying the dialect?
Børdahl's primary challenge was working with only one informant, which may have limited the validity of her data and potentially influenced her findings by including putonghua elements.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “The phonemes and the phonological structure of the Yangzhou dialect�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Dialect:
A dialect is a specific form of a language spoken in a particular area or by a particular group, characterized by distinctive vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. In the Yangzhou dialect, specific phonological structures and sound systems are identified, making it distinct from other regional dialects. [source text]
2) Peking:
Peking refers to the Mandarin dialect spoken in Beijing. The study compares the Yangzhou dialect with the Peking dialect, highlighting phonetic and phonological differences to aid teachers of the common language, Putonghua. [source text]
3) Sound:
Sound refers to the phonetic units analyzed in the Yangzhou dialect. These units are categorized into initial consonants, finals, and tones to describe the phonological structure. [source text]
4) Language:
Language in this context refers to Chinese and its various dialects, including the Yangzhou dialect. It encompasses different phonological systems that distinguish one dialect from another. [source text]
5) Speech:
Speech refers to the spoken form of the Yangzhou dialect as recorded from the informant Mr. Chu. It includes phonetic details necessary for the phonological analysis. [source text]
6) Discussion:
Discussion involves the analysis and comparison of phonological data between different studies and the critical review of previous research on the Yangzhou dialect. [source text]
7) Pari:
The word intended here seems to be 'Paris,' where Vibeke Børdahl collected data from a Yangzhou native speaker. This setting, while outside the dialect’s domain, provided the basis for her research on the dialect. [source text]
8) Sandhi (Shandhi, Samdhi):
Sandhi refers to morphophonemic changes in tone or sound that occur when morphemes join. This study aims to identify such alterations in the Yangzhou dialect, specifically in tonal sandhi patterns. [source text]
9) Limit (Limiting, Limited):
Limit refers to constraints on validity due to the study being based on data from a single informant and outside the native dialect area, potentially affecting the generalization of results. [source text]
10) Tongue:
Tongue, or mother tongue, relates to the native language spoken by Mr. Chu and his friends from Yangzhou, which is the focus of Børdahl’s phonological study. [source text]
11) Foreign language:
Foreign language refers to languages other than the native tongue spoken by Mr. Chu. He spoke Putonghua fluently but no other foreign language. [see source text or glossary: Foreign language]
12) Linguistics:
Linguistics is the scientific study of language structure, phonetics, and phonology. This study contributes to linguistics by analyzing the Yangzhou dialect’s phonological system. [source text]
13) Perception:
Perception refers to how tones and sounds are audibly distinguished by listeners. This involves the identification of syllable peaks and tonal contours in the Yangzhou dialect. [see source text or glossary: Perception]
14) Similarity:
Similarity is noted in the phonetic observations between Vibeke Børdahl’s work and previous descriptions by Chinese linguists, though some differences exist mainly due to descriptive approaches. [source text]
15) Education:
Education refers to Mr. Chu’s background, including his middle school education in Yangzhou, which forms part of his linguistic profile for Børdahl’s study. [source text]
16) Existence:
Existence pertains to the phonological elements and structures identified in the Yangzhou dialect, which were examined for consistency with established phonetic principles. [see source text or glossary: Existence]
17) Confusion (Confused):
Confusion might arise in distinguishing between Putonghua forms and genuine Yangzhou forms, especially given Mr. Chu’s occasional blend of these forms during the study. [source text]
18) Alphabet:
Alphabet refers to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) used in transcribing the Yangzhou dialect's phonetic data for detailed analysis. [source text]
19) Juncture:
Juncture relates to the presence of pauses or boundaries between syllables, helping to define the phonological structure of syllables in the Yangzhou dialect. [source text]
20) Shandong:
Shandong is one of the provinces Mr. Chu lived in after leaving Yangzhou. His residency in various regions might have influenced his speech patterns. [source text]
21) Student:
Student refers to Vibeke Børdahl during her years of study under various linguistics professors, contributing to the development of her research on the Yangzhou dialect. [source text]
22) Jiangxi:
Jiangxi is another province where Mr. Chu lived, indicating his diverse exposure to different Chinese dialects which may affect his Yangzhou speech. [source text]
23) Stream:
Stream refers to 'stream of speech,' indicating the continuous flow of spoken language from which phonological patterns are analyzed in the Yangzhou dialect. [source text]
24) Light:
Light describes Vibeke Børdahl’s theoretical approach to illuminating the phonological structure and phoneme distinctions in the Yangzhou dialect. [source text]
25) Lead:
Lead refers to Professor Søren Egerod, who guided Vibeke Børdahl’s research through valuable corrections and suggestions in Chinese linguistic studies. [source text]