Comprehensive Phonetic Study Of The North Wu Dialect

This thesis is a comparative research of the North Wu Dialect in the theoretical and methodological frames of dialectology. Compared with previous studies in this field, the thesis has following features: 1.Using adequacy of data and TFD (Tool for Dialect) , statistically describe the characters of the North Wu Dialect's initial, final, and tone. 2. Besides analysis of the commonness of the North Wu Dialect, the thesis puts emphasis on the differences inside the North Wu Dialect .Furthermore, the thesis makes detailed analysis of the character of the dialect located in edge area. 3. Utilizing the theory of phonetics and historical phonology, the thesis discusses the cause of the sound changes and the diversities.The thesis consists of 4 chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the area and history of the North Wu Dialect, Previous study and the meaning and structure of the thesis. Chapter 2 describes and concludes the initial, final, and tone system of the North Wu Dialect. Chapter3 especially analyzes the particular characters of the initial and final system. Chapter 4 concludes the commonness and differences of the dialects belongs to the North Wu Dialect, and analyzes the phonetic character of the dialects located in edge area.