MoHua JiLue (ShuiHua YanJiu)

Author: Li Fanggui (Author), Wang Qilong (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: The description of Mowa in Mowa Notes pertains to one of the languages within the Dongshui branch of the Zhuang-Dong ethnic group. According to Professor Fanggui in the book, "Mowa is called Mowa because almost all the people who speak this language are surnamed Mo. These people are also referred to as the Mo family," and they are primarily distributed in Fangcun and Yangfeng townships in the northwest of Libo County, Guizhou. Professor Fanggui conducted his research in Fangcun, with pronunciation collaboration from Mr. Mo Mengru. (See "Introduction"). In the Introduction, it briefly outlines the distribution of Mowa and its connections with other languages. Chapter 2, "Phonology," describes the phonological system of Mowa. After providing a detailed explanation of initials, final consonants, vowels, rimes, tones, and neutral tones, Professor Fanggui compiled two tables of initial-rime combinations: one is the "Table of Simple Initial-Rime Combinations" and the other is the "Table of Initial-Rime Combinations with J and W." Subsequently, it briefly explains the relationship between rimes and tones, as well as the relationship between initials and tones. Chapter 3, "Stories," collects eight stories and one song lyrics. The left column presents the phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and a word-by-word translation, while the right column provides the corresponding English translation. Chapter 4, "Vocabulary," is arranged in phonetic order and collects approximately 3,000 common words and phrases. Each entry first lists the phonetic transcription using IPA, followed by a Chinese translation. The content is extremely rich, making it an important reference material for the study of Mowa vocabulary. The Research on Shui Language was published in Taiwan in 1977, primarily drawing on several Shui dialect materials collected by Professor Fanggui during his survey in Libo County, Guizhou, in 1942. This book begins with an "Introduction" and "General Phonological Overview," followed by its main body—the Shui language materials. The "Introduction" briefly introduces the distribution area of Shui (also known as Shuijia dialect) and its relationship with other languages, as well as the arrangement of the book's content.