Author : Xi Xiang
Release : 2022-11-30
Genre : Language Arts & Disciplines
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : 784/5 ( reviews)
Book Synopsis A Brief History of the Chinese Language II by : Xi Xiang
Download or read book A Brief History of the Chinese Language II written by Xi Xiang. This book was released on 2022-11-30. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As the second volume of a multivolume set on Chinese phonetics, this book examines the phonetical systems of Middle Chinese and phonetical changes from Old Chinese to Middle Chinese. Chinese language history is generally split into three phases: (1) Old Chinese, the form of the Chinese language spoken between the 18th century BCE and the 3rd century CE; (2) Middle Chinese, between the 4th century CE to around the 12th century CE; and (3) Modern Chinese, since the 13th century. This volume studies the phonological system of Middle Chinese, including the initials system, finals system, and tonal system, examining the evolution of these systems from the period of Old Chinese to that of Middle Chinese. This comprehensive groundwork on Chinese phonetical history will be a must read for scholars and students studying Chinese language, linguistics and, especially, for beginning learners of Middle Chinese phonetics.