The Re-classification Between The Zhongyuan And Jiang-Huai Mandarin Dialects In The North Of Jiangsu Province

Classification of Chinese dialects is one of most important research work into dialects. A good classification makes people know dialects directly, and can help research into dialects deeply. From the first part of the 20th century, classification of dialects has been developing gradually from roughness to accuracy, and from perceptual knowledge to scientific analysis. With the deep research, classification has some theories. But, as a whole, there are some different ideas and defects.The main idea of this paper is to draw a dividing line between Zhongyuan and Jiang-Huai mandarin in the north of Jiangsu Province. We can watch evolution orbits of dialects and explore rules of dialects evolution, through investigation about the dialects facts. According to these, our aim is to explore theories and ways of classification. The north of Jiangsu Province is the joint part between Luo-xu sub-grouping of Zhongyuan mandarin and Hong-chao sub-grouping of Jiang-huai mandarin(according to names in ), including Lian yun gang city, Donghai county, Xinyi county, Shuyang county, Suqian city, and Sihong county. We selected twenty-three sites, and investigated phonetics, vocabulary, and grammar. According to arrangement of these investigated things, we give our suggestion to the classification of the regions, and we hope the suggestion can be useful to the development of theories of classification.The paper consists of six parts. The first part is forward, which introduces briefly the intention and significance of this paper. The first chapter is about all-round introduction to classifications in dialects . Predecessors have researched into classifications of many dialects, which have achieved great success. This has set up good base for later researches. And, it is necessary to grasp basically these works. The second chapter is about ideas of classifications between Zhongyuan and Jiang-huai mandarin dialects. We synthesize the relevant classifications views of dialects in the north of Jiangsu Province, and , analyze advantages and disadvantages of every view. The third chapter is about our conception of dialects classifications. We put forward our views and imagines initially, which is based on researches into predecessors' works. The fourth chapter is about re-classification of Zhongyuan and Jiang-huai mandarin dialects. We try to found out classification standards from sound, vocabulary and grammars. In the process of classification, we think, it is important to grant main characters of every dialect site as its judging basis. Furthermore, we produce non-language standards can be used to classify dialects. The last part is conclusion.The paper is to class precisely the dialects in the north of Jiangsu Province, draw clearly a class line, and expound the process of classification, then synthesize concrete shows of every standard. Phenomenon of dialects are complex, especially in the common borders among different dialects, it is difficult to judge a dialect site. We think that these dialect sites can be classified by language standards, besides, we can refer to non-language standards to judge them.We also put forward our views to theories and ideas of Chinese dialects classifications, through the concrete dialects classifications.As to classification standards, we agree we should choose them including sound, vocabularies and grammar. It is the most important to deal with main characters in the process of classification, and consider this as judge standards. Furthermore, we give a different treatment about "the initial position" of "ru sheng", according to concrete shows of dialect sites we have researched.Different dialects have differences, but if all of the differences may be considered as standards of classification? We think this needs a choose process, and to distinguish dialects characters and differences. The classification standards couldn't be lumped together with dialects differences.Chinese dialects have gradations. The dialect characters have different affects in different gradation, so we must treat them through concrete shows. We tend to choose several standards in next gradation classification.Researchers also pay close attention if classification standards should be confined. We discuss the question in the paper, and put forward our views.