International Journal of Chinese Linguistics - Volume 11, Issue 2, 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we compare the corresponding sets across the Coastal Min dialects and reconstruct three voiced coronal initials, namely, *dʒ-, dʒ^h- and *ð-, for Proto-Coastal Min. The main reason of reconstructing voiced initials is that the Eastern Min varieties have undergone fricativization of some earlier affricates, which only occur in the yang tonal register. The development of these initials in modern languages is also discussed. It is found that while the Pu-Xian dialects share some similar features with Eastern Min regarding the initials under discussion, there is no strong reason to assume that they are genetically closer within the Coastal Min family.

Abstract

Reduplication often involves fixed segmentism, which includes invariant segments, tones, or features that are not copied from the base. This paper focuses on phonologically unmarked fixed segmentism in the Chinese language and argues for base-reduplicant correspondence in reduplication. We examine three types of fixed segmentism, including the onset /l/, the nucleus /i/ or /ə/, and the coda /ʔ/ or /ŋ/. After surveying the data, we argue that these segments have a phonological basis falling under the Optimality Theory (OT) rubric of the emergence of the unmarked (TETU). We argue that while fixed segmentism of this phonological type poses challenges to OT analyses, such as Morphological Doubling Theory (MDT), which do not acknowledge the distinction between the base and the reduplicant and their correspondence, it can be accounted for within correspondence theory, given that the base and reduplicant have an asymmetrical phonological relation to the input.

Abstract

Qingsheng and qingyin have long been a set of confusing concepts in Chinese linguistic studies. In literature scholars usually agree on the use of qingsheng to refer to the neutral tone in Mandarin. However, some scholars believe that qingsheng is the same as qingyin and use them interchangeably. Furthermore, the term qingyin is used to prove that Mandarin has word stress, since word stress, or zhongyin in Chinese is the counterpart of qingyin. Therefore, it is important to clarify the relationship between the two concepts, namely qingsheng and qingyin to determine the linguistic and typological nature of Mandarin. This study tried to differentiate these two concepts both phonetically and phonologically and proved that qingsheng is a result of a set of tonal processes, such as tone sandhi, tone neutralization, tone spreading, while qingyin is a result of a series of metrical process, such as clash and lapse. It also compared qingsheng and qingyin on their functions, classifications, origins, and did a quantitative study on the distribution of the qingsheng words in Mandarin to further prove that qingsheng and qingyin are two completely different concepts, and hence proved that it is invalid to claim Mandarin has word stress because of the existence of qingsheng.

Abstract

This paper investigates the finiteness of complement clauses in Chinese within the theoretical framework of the Minimalist Program, with a specific focus on the independency and opacity features. Following He (2020) and Huang (2022), this study proposes that the feature [IND] represents the independent reference time of the complement clause, and the feature [OPA] indicates the degree of opacity for syntactic operations. By integrating these two features, the paper establishes a robust differentiation between finiteness and nonfiniteness within Chinese complement clauses. Under the assumption that all complement clauses in Chinese are CP, a propositional CP is classified as finite when its C^o head is positively specified for both features [+IND, +OPA]. Conversely, an event/action CP is considered nonfinite when the C^o head carries a negative specification: [+ IND, −OPA] or [−IND, −OPA]. It is worth noting that if the reference time of a complement clause depends on the matrix clause, it cannot be opaque, and therefore exhibits transparency. This research sheds light on the intricate relationship between the independency and opacity features, providing valuable insights into the syntactic mechanisms underlying complement clauses in Chinese.

抽象的

崔世珍 (1468–1542) 著述宏富，记录和讨论了大量明代中期的北京话词汇和语音现象。当时正处于南北官话融合的关键阶段，而反映北京话的本土资料却阙如，因此他所记录的北京口语资料是独一无二的，对于研究北京话形成史具有极高的价值。文章主要讨论四个问题：(1) 崔世珍所记是不是北京话；(2) 崔世珍所记资料的特点；(3) 从崔世珍所记看明代中期南北官话词汇的融合；(4) 明代中期的北京话词汇在现代北京话里的留存与消亡。

This article reviews Architecture of the Periphery in Chinese: Cartography and Minimalism978-1138068186