The Research Of Shu Yu’s Phonetic System

Shu Yu in late Ming and early Qing dynasties is an ancient lexicon of Sichuan dialect which is written by Li Shi the Jinshi in Chong Zhen years of Ming Dynasty. Shu Yu collected563words with469words phonetic noted. Some of the words phonetic notations are still used nowadays. So that Shu Yu is not only of great value to the vocabulary study, but also has great importance in phonetic study of Sichuan dialect in late Ming and early Qing Dynasty.This thesis analyses the phonetic notation, combined the book with Sichuan dialect and other rhyme books. Then, constructed the book’s voice system, determined the nature of it, and found that the change rule of language development. All these efforts provide detailed material of the research on Chinese phonology, Modern Chinese and Chinese dialect.This research is conducted on the basis of historical linguistics and methods dealing with Chinese phonology and Chinese dialectology are also used. Comparison is the chief method through the research. By comparing the phonetic system of the book with Guang Yun, this research finds out their difference and explains the difference from modern Chinese and dialect. Moreover, some other dictionaries at the same time are also be used to compare with the book in order to make sure it linguistic circumstance. Some traditional ways are also used in analyzing ancient characters, the. The research is conducted with an attitude of development, analyzing the material from various aspects, such as time and space.This thesis consists seven chapters.Chapter one deals with the basic things about the dictionary, including the writer and the writing process, style, etc. Detailed description of Shu Yu and introduce the main contents, theory and the research significance.Chapter two discusses the evolution of the initials and reconstructs the consonant system of Shu Yu. Chief characteristics of initials are:Firstly, the full-voiced initials devoicing in Sichuan dialect in late Ming is not an individual phenomenon. Secondly the separation or integration of Zhi(知) group, Zhuang(庄) group, Zhang(章) group initials. In the book, Zhi, Zhuang and Zhang were integrating. It seemed to be divided into two kinds of conditions because of finals. Thirdly, the separation or integration of Jing(精) group and Zhao(照) group. In the book, Jing and Zhao were separated while in modern Sichuan dialect the two group are integrate Fourthly, whether the Jian(见)group are divided. The initial of the2nd division of "JIAN" are divided into two part in Sichuan dialect, some are meeting with the/-i/medial form a palatalized consonant, the other of Kaikou finals are pronounced as [k],[k’],[x].Fifthly, Tuanyin(团音)and Jianyin(尖音)were not mixed in the book. Sixthly, the initial Ni(泥)ind initial Lai(来)are separated in the book, while in contemporary Sichuan dialect the two initials are integrated. At last reconstruct the value of Fei(非)group, initial Yi(疑)and initial Ri(日).Chapter three is devoted to the phonetic evolution of finals and reconstruction of the vowels systems. Chief characteristics of finials are:Firstly, the "-m" tail vowel is integrated with "-n" rhymes tail in the book. Secondly, the separation of rhymes tail "-n" and "-n". Thirdly, the phenomenon of Ru rhyme disappears. Fourthly, the evolution of entering finial in rhyme group tong(通),guo(果),yu(遇),zhi(止),xie(蟹)and reconstruction of their value.In chapter four, we discussed the historical evolution of Sichuan dialect tones. We mainly discussed the allocation of entering tone and the distribution of the Ancient Entering Tone words.Chapter five is comparison the phonetic system of Shu Yu with contemporary Sichuan dialect.Some development can be found by the comparison. The Zhao(照)group disappeared, the mixed of rounded sound and sharp sound, and the Zeng(曾)geng(梗)group integrated with shen(深)zhen(臻)group.Chapter six, is the comparison of Shu Yu and Ming Mandarin. The difference of the book is the destruction of the entering tones.Chapter seven is determine the phonetic nature of Shu Yu. From its background, the comparison with others dialect, we can infer that it reflects the common language in east Sichuan in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty.