对用统一标准划分方言的反思——以“浊音标准”为切入点

Revisiting the criteria for Chinese dialectal region demarcation: A case of the "Zhuoyin criteria"

本文认为划分汉语方言不应该有统一的标准,并以一向被视为划分汉语方言最有效的标准——古全浊声母今读类型为例加以说明。由于各方言在历史上的分化节点在年代上和创新内容上都各不相同,故现代方言的划分条件也应各不相同,才能正确反映方言分化的历史真实。任何一个或一组统一的标准都不足以在一个层级上划分所有汉语方言。本文暂拟一个汉语方言分化示意图,以期说明方言分化条件的复杂性。

The article argues against the so-called unified criteria for Chinese dialectal region demarcation through the exemplification of the present pronunciation typology of the ancient Quanzhuo initials,which has hitherto been regarded the most effective criteria.The nodes of the historical divisions vary among dialects in both time and mode of innovation,so do the conditions for demarcating them,in order to approximate to the historical reality regarding dialectal division.No single or unitary criteria can possibly be expected to divide the Chinese dialects once and for all.In addition,the article tentatively proposes a schema on Chinese dialectal division with one of the aims being to merely demonstrate the complexity of conditions for dialectal division.