Medieval sound -- Chinese language knowledge series

Author: Li Banwei
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1991-11-01
Features: Middle Chinese is a part of the history of Chinese phonology and an important stage in the development of Chinese pronunciation. The term "Middle Chinese" refers to the pronunciation of Chinese during the historical period from the Sui to the Song dynasties. We know that the Sui dynasty did not last long, while the Tang and Song dynasties lasted for considerable periods. Therefore, it can also be said that the pronunciation of Middle Chinese primarily refers to that of the Tang and Song dynasties. From the Sui to the Song, it covers approximately 697 years from 581 to 1278 AD. The pronunciation during this period inherited developments from earlier times. During the Middle Chinese period, Chinese pronunciation underwent a series of significant changes, laying the foundation for modern Chinese pronunciation. Thus, it can be said that Middle Chinese is an important stage in the development of Chinese phonology. It serves as a link between ancient Chinese, near-ancient Chinese (the pronunciation of the Wei and Jin periods), and modern Chinese, acting as a turning point in the evolution of Chinese phonology.
During the transition from the Sui to the Tang, the culture and economy of the Yellow River region in China developed to a considerable extent. After the Tang dynasty unified China, it also achieved a relatively stable political situation. The political stability and economic and cultural development played important roles in further developing and consolidating the common language of Chinese. To study the phonological state of Middle Chinese, we must first study the phonology of the common language. During the Middle Chinese period between the Tang and Song dynasties, was there a common language as people describe it? Did a standard pronunciation—correct pronunciation—exist? And what was the basis for this correct pronunciation? These questions have not yet been fully agreed upon in academia. Therefore, before discussing the phonological system of Middle Chinese, we must provide a relatively clear answer to this question. In other words, we must first explore this issue and, based on this exploration, further discuss the phonological system of Middle Chinese itself.
Additionally, some scholars in the past have primarily used Middle Chinese rhyming dictionaries such as Qieyun or Guangyun as references when describing the phonology of Middle Chinese. We believe that the emergence of these Middle Chinese rhyming dictionaries had their own historical context and limitations. That is to say, the phonological systems they represent do not truly reflect the actual phonological state of the common language of Middle Chinese. This is mainly because these dictionaries do not reflect the pronunciation of any specific time or place. They contain elements of ancient and regional pronunciations. Given this, if we want to explore a phonological system that more accurately reflects the phonology of the common language of Middle Chinese, we cannot rely solely on these rhyming dictionaries. Therefore, this book dedicates a separate chapter to summarizing the materials used for studying Middle Chinese, clarifying our views on the Qieyun series of rhyming dictionaries, and introducing other reference materials used for studying Middle Chinese, so that readers can understand the basis of our research.
After introducing the state of the common language of Middle Chinese and the research materials, we proceed to discuss the phonological system of Middle Chinese itself. In our discussion, we use Middle Chinese rhyming dictionaries as important references and combine other phonological materials to explain various aspects of the Middle Chinese phonological system. We aim to present a Middle Chinese phonological system that is relatively close to historical reality.
Of course, Middle Chinese covers a historical period of over 700 years, during which pronunciation could not remain unchanged. Therefore, describing Middle Chinese is not simply listing a system of initials, finals, and tones. It is also impossible to divide this period into finer historical segments and list multiple phonological systems reflecting different periods. We can only generalize a more representative phonological system that reflects the phonological state and overall trends of Middle Chinese. As for the development and changes of various phonemes in different periods, we can only explain them in specific contexts.
The Middle Chinese phonological system we propose generally represents the phonological state of the period around the transition from the Tang to the Song (or the Northern Song dynasty). Developments before or after this period can only be explained in the relevant discussions.
In summary, the narrative in this book reflects a new exploration in the study of the history of phonology. There are some new materials, methods, and conclusions in this exploration. All of these indicate that the writing of this book is merely a new exploration. As for whether this exploration can be accepted by others and whether it can achieve the goal of describing a Middle Chinese phonological state that more accurately reflects historical reality, we do not yet have full confidence. We hope that this exploration can continue and deepen, allowing the study of the history of Chinese phonology to achieve more accomplishments.