The Essential Discrimination of the Collection of Ancient and Modern Rhyme Associations

Author: Wang Shuoquan Translated
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: This book refers to the Phagspa Chinese materials such as Menggu Ziyun (1308) to analyze the phonological system of Gujin Yunhui Juyao (hereinafter referred to as Yunhui, 1297). Based on the internal evidence provided by the Yunhui phonological system, it proves that Yunhui is a revised version of Libu Yunlue that integrates the system of děngyùn (equal) with the actual pronunciation of the time. The compilation of Yunhui represents the highest level of phonological research during the Song and Yuan dynasties. Yunhui combines the "ancient rhymes" of the Middle Chinese period, which are relevant to it, with the "modern rhymes" of various regional dialects close to its time of production. The phonological pattern reflected by its system is both complex and distinct from any other rhyme book of the past or its contemporaries. The background of the formation of the Yunhui phonological system is a reproduction of the social and historical background in which Qieyun (601), as a representative of Middle Chinese phonology, emerged. The phonology of Qieyun represents the standard pronunciation of the Middle Chinese period from the Wei and Jin dynasties to the Sui dynasty. In contrast, the phonology of Yunhui is likely the common language of the border region between Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi during the late Southern Song Dynasty, which was very close to the pronunciation of Lin'an, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. This book argues that Yunhui was probably a widely used standard Southern dialect during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. To this day, many phonological rules and principles of Yunhui are still preserved in Shao Wu dialect in Fujian. This book draws on the relevant discussions of predecessors such as Mr. Yi Tonghe, Mr. Zhao Yintang, as well as modern scholars like Mr. Yang Naishi, Mr. Zhu Jiaoning, Mr. Huadeng Zhenghong, and Mr. Ning Jifu.