谈谈音类和音值问题

Some Views on Sound Classes and Sound Values

笔者初学方言,长期搞不清调类和调值。后来才逐渐领悟,语音研究时刻都离不开音类和音值问题。音值决定音类的划分,可是相同的音值在不同的方言里未必属于相同的音类。在汉语发展中,声母和韵母的音值两相牵引或排斥,又互为条件。声韵调的音类划分有各自不同的特点。搞清音类和音值问题,对初学者至关重要。

As a beginning researcher of dialect studies, the author was puzzled by tone classes and tone values. Later, in the pursuit of the studies the author has come to realise that sound classes and sound values are central to any phonological research. Sound classes are decided by sound values, whereas sounds with the same value do not necessarily belong to the same class as dialects vary. In the Chinese language, the value of initials and that of finals are conditioned by each other. The sound class of initials and finals is determined according to their different characteristics. It is of essential significance for beginning researcher to distinguish between sound classes and sound values.