Jump to the main content block
Tsing Hua Journal of Chinese Studies
ISSN 0577-9170; DOI 10.6503/THJCS

   Cover

A Diachronic Look into Aberrant Synchronic Sound Patterns

Vol. 35 No. 2   12/2005    

Title

A Diachronic Look into Aberrant Synchronic Sound Patterns

Author

Hui-chuan Hsu

Genre

Article  

Pages

435-456

Download

PDF

Language

English

Key words

secret language, onomatopoeia reduplication, l-separated words

Abstract

   This paper argues that the concept of 'pure synchronic phonology' which possibly emerges as a result of the over-application of the learnability viewpoint to the study of language can be a myth. Existent phonological patterns which plague a unified synchronic analysis may actually reflect remnants of an earlier phonology. A wide range of dialect materials from three Southern Min secret languages, Chaoyang onomatopoeia reduplication, to Datong l-separated words all reveal the feasibility of tackling aberrant synchronic sound patterns from a diachronic perspective.

a

 

Author: Hui-chuan Hsu
Genre: Article
Click Num: