英语中汉语外来词辅音音系调整的优选论分析

An OT Approach to Consonantal Adaptations of Chinese Loanwords in English

两种语言之间音系和语音的异同可以在外来形式的本族化过程中得以反映。对于汉语中英语外来词的音系调整已有一些文章进行了有见地的描写和分析,但对英语中汉语外来词的音系调整却鲜有阐释。鉴于此,作者尝试性地对英语中汉语外来词辅音的音系调整进行了描写,并在优选论的理论框架下进行了分析。结果表明:英语音段系统对汉语外来形式的音系调整并非是任意的,而是系统的、可预测的。调整过程和结果与英语音系语法中制约条件的等级排列有关。即忠实类制约条件要求最大可能地保留作为输入项的汉语外来形式的特征,而标记类制约条件要求输出项符合英语的音系语法。

Phonological adaptations of loanwords can reflect the differences and similarities of phonology and phonetics between two languages. Previous studies have extensively examined the phonological adaptation of English loanwords in Chinese, while the phonological adaptation of Chinese loanwords in English language has received less attention and discussion. This study focuses on Chinese loanwords and transliterations in English language, particularly those with Mandarin Chinese sources. An OT （Optimality Theory） perspective is taken to explain the consonantal adaptation of these loanwords into the English language. It is discovered that Chinese loanwords are not adapted into English phonology arbitrarily, but with systematicality and predictability. The ranking of constraints within English phonology determines the process and result of consonantal adaptations of Chinese loanwords, i. e. , the constraints of Faithfulness require that the segmental information contained in Chinese borrowed words is maximally preserved, while Markedness constraints require that the output produced must be in conformity with English phonology.