Ding-Weifen's Phonology Research

Ding-Weifen(1874—1954) was a renowned scholar during the near-modern times of China. He held very important posts of Kuomintang, and was proficient in traditional linguistic. Ding-Weifen made researches on Maoshi, Er'ya, Fangyan, and wrote these representative works namely Maoshi Yunyu, Er'ya Shiming, Fangyan Yinshi,Liyu Zhenggu. The linguistic theory contained in the rich materials of his these linguistic works. Ding-Weifen also made a study of Chuci, Shuowen, Zhuzi and Shandong dialects, and wrote a lot of papers, such as Qidong Yu and ZhiGe Guyin kao. Ding-Weifen explained the ancient words by quoting the dialects and folk adages. And he applies the methods of seeking its meaning according to its phonetics to clarify the relation between the dialect words and the ancient etymology, and to interpret a lot of dialects more scientifically. Ding-Weifen had an innovating spirit, and broke a new path for researching traditional linguistics, which do help to it.Ding-Weifen rarely gave a presentation of his point of view by the numbers. On the contrary, he often quoted ancient books as exemplifications widely. In addition, the researching datum is limited and his works are not widespread. So, academia has not made any systemic researches on Ding-Weifen's academic achievement. In this paper, we attempt to explore this politician's outstanding linguistic achievements targeting two of his most representative woks namely Maoshi Yunyu and Liyu Zhenggu in the hope of recovering his status in Chinese linguistic history and inducing others to come forward with valuable contributions. Otherwise, Ding-Weifen's hometown is Rizhao, and there are many people in his family. Ding-Weifen's father is Ding-Yici(1846—1921),who wrote Maoshi Zhengyun(four volumes) and Yunli(one volume) .Zhang-Binglin admired him for his works. Ding-Weifen and Ding-Yici are Rizhao persons, so the researches for their linguistics theory can find Qilu cultural celebrities and develop Qilu culture.The whole paper can be divided into four major parts.Chapter I: Brief Introduction. The chapter includes a brief introduction to Ding-Weifen's autobiography, family and works; An epitome of his primary phonology theory; A simple account of the research situation and meaning on the study of his phonology theory.Chapter II: Maoshi Yunyu and Ding-Weifen's Phonology Reserches.This chapter summarizes the definitions and rules of these six rhyming examples by the researches on six rhyming examples(Jiecuo rhyme, Jiaocuo rhyme, Dizhuan rhyme, Lianxu Dizhuan rhyme, Jiaocuo zhuan rhyme and Shuangsheng Tongdu rhyme); And finding Ding-Weifen's innovation by the contrast between Ding-Weifen's Maoshi Yunyu and Wangli's Shijing Yundu; And analyzing his point of view about some special rhyming characters in part rhyming categories from Maoshi Yunyu in particular; And taking Zhige Guyin kao as examples; At last, evaluating the correct , errors and his contribution.Chapter III: Liyu Zhenggu and Ding-Weifen's dialectology researches.Liyu Zhenggu explained the ancient words by quoting the dialects and folk adages. And he applies the methods of seeking its meaning according to its phonetics to clarify the relation between the dialect words and the ancient etymology, and to interpret a lot of dialects more scientifically. This paper sorts the Jiaodong dialects and Rizhao dialects quoted by Liyu Zhenggu out and sums up some representational items, priding some valuable materials for us to go on researching the phonology and dialectology.Chapter IV: Conclusions.This paper sums up the characteristic and problems of Ding-Weifen's academic researches; And pointing out that his linguistic theory is comprehensive and abundant; And he has many original opinions in explanation, philology and correction. This paper aims to arouse many professionals to pay attention to Ding-Weifen and his theory, and hoping for recovering his status and recognition in Chinese linguistics history.