论汉语并列复合词调序的成因

The Cause of Tone Sequence of Chinese Co-ordinating Compound

汉语并列复合词主要按"平>上>去>入"的声调序列排序,各家几乎都持发音省力说。虽不排除调序成因中有省力因素的参与,但发音省力说至少是十分片面的。从更广泛意义上说,并列复合词的调序应是语音地位、受关注程度、频率、典型性、节奏等联合作用所致,背后则隐藏着更为深刻的功能动机。

There is a tone sequence in Chinese co-ordinating compounds which is Pingsheng（平声 〉 Shangsheng（上声） 〉 Qusheng（去声） 〉 Rusheng（入声）. Most linguists explained that economizing labor in articulation is the cause of the sequence. This paper rebut it and point out that in a broader view, it is caused by phonetic status, level of attention given, frequency, typicalness and rhythm, and in fact, they are supported by a profound functional motivation.