Research On Wangli's Theories Of Old Chinese Phonetics

Wang Li is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished Chinese linguists in 20th century. The research which is on old Chinese phonetics is part of his most important work, his main contribution includes three aspects in this area: (1) He completed the division in old Chinese rhyme system. (2) He established a scientific re-construction principle for old Chinese phonetics, and revised predecessors' work. (3) He Commented the viewpoints of others. In this thesis, Wang's theories of old Chinese rhyme,initials and tones are studied, the conclusions are as follows.1. Research on old Chinese rhyme group: (1) Wang held the opinion that脂Zhi and微Wei should be of different rhyme group, but his point was protested continuously by someone else, after our demonstration, the views of opponents so far is not very mature and strict, Wang's statement is trustworthy. (2) Each rhyme group should have only one main vowel;阴声Yinsheng should be drafted as open syllables with vowel ending or none,入声Rusheng should be constructed as closed syllables with stop sound ending. If阴声Yinsheng,阳声Yangsheng and入声Rusheng are at match, their main vowel should be same. The re-construction should pay much attention to the distance of each rhyme group.2. Research on old Chinese initials: Wang identified the total of old Chinese initials was thirty-three, he obtained his conclusion by using Internal fitting method of re-construction. As far as some initials conclusions were concerned, Wang only adopted Qian Daxin's"there were no light lip sounds and up-tongue sounds" and Zeng Yunqian's"云Yun group should incorporate in匣Xia group". As to Zhang Taiyan's"娘Niang,日Ri groups should incorporate in泥Ni group",Wang only admitted娘Niang group should incorporate in泥Ni group. As for Huang Kan's "庄Zhuang group should incorporate in精Jing group",Qian Daxin's "章Zhang group should incorporate in端Duan group" and Zeng Yunqian's"以Yi group should incorporate in定Ding group", Wang held prudent retain attitude. In addition, Wang didn't quite agree with the re-construction of consonant cluster, not easily use the harmonic sound materials,Variants,loan characters,relatives language and other materials, but not object the others to do so, his attitude is undoubtedly correct.3. Research on old Chinese tones: Wang assumed that the old Chinese did not have去声Qusheng,入声Rusheng included long and short, we are against this point. We firmly believe that the old and medieval Chinese tones are no different, that is to say the old Chinese tones was also divided into four:平Ping,上Shang,去Qu,入Ru, not too more or too less.