Journal article
A Recent Contribution to Sino-Tibetan Linguistics (Review Article)
Language and linguistics (Taipei), Vol.4(4), pp.887-902
10/01/2003
Abstract
A review of Hwang-Cherng Gong's Collected Papers on Sino-Tibetan Linguistics (Taipei, Taiwan: Academia Sinica, 2002) characterizes the 15 essays in this collection, covering the 1980-2000 timespan, as monumental achievements in Sino-Tibetan comparative linguistics that can also serve as an introduction to the field as the origin & development of different theories & perspectives are carefully traced & documented in addition to a comprehensive exposition of Gong's own views that sets a high standard for any alternative proposals. Summaries of each paper reveal the internal consistency of Gong's approach to the reconstruction of Early Chinese & Proto-Sino-Tibetan phonology, which accords with the Old (Archaic) Chinese system of Fang-Kuei Li (eg, 1971) while adopting particular ideas from Li's opponents, who follow the tradition of S. E. Yakhontov (eg, 1960) & E. G. Pulleyblank (1962). In particular, Gong posits final consonant clusters in *-s, which Li resisted for Old Chinese; Gong reconstructs final stops in Old Chinese & wrongly claims that Li took this position also. Gong's postulated prenasalized lateral is called into question, as no such sound has been observed in any human language. 14 References. J. Hitchcock
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A Recent Contribution to Sino-Tibetan Linguistics (Review Article)
- Creators
- W South Coblin
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Language and linguistics (Taipei), Vol.4(4), pp.887-902
- ISSN
- 1606-822X
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/01/2003
- Academic Unit
- Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures
- Record Identifier
- 9984095158802771
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