《元声韵学大成》声调研究

Investigating Tones in Yuan Sheng Yun Xue Da Quan

人们研究《元声韵学大成》一书的声调会发现,此书具有平声不分阴阳、全浊上声字变成浊去和清去、入声音节结尾辅音已有混同等特征。这些声调现象都反映了当时的实际语音状况,因此可以说,《元声韵学大成》是一部反映时音的著作。

When examining the tones in Yuan Sheng Yun Xue Da Quan （ Yuansheng Rhyming Dictionary）, scholars have found some significant features： 1, the initial consonant in level-tone syllable does not distinguish yin （voiceless） and yang （voiced）; 2, shang-sheng tone with voiced initial consonants has been split into qusheng tone with either voiced or voiceless initial consonants; 3, the coda consonants in syllables with ru-sheng tone haven been neutralized. All the findings indicate that the Yuansheng Rhyming Dictionary authentically records the features of the speech sounds spoken in the Ming Dynasty.