原始苗瑤語音韻構擬與譜系關係的幾個議題

Issues in the Reconstruction and Affiliation of Proto-Miao-Yao

本文呈現原始苗瑤語音韻構擬上的新觀點，重點處理古單、複聲母重建上一些棘手的問題，提議為原始苗瑤語構擬軟顎化特徵，作為闡釋現代方言複雜音韻發展的鑰匙。本文依據新構擬的音系審視若干詞例，判斷其為漢語、苗瑤語共有詞彙的可行性，期望藉由可確信的語音對應關係，將苗瑤語遠程比較建立在堅實的材料基礎之上。

In this paper, I present a new look at the phonological reconstruction of Proto-Miao-Yao (PMY). Particular attention is devoted to the outstanding problems concerning the reconstruction of initial consonants and clusters. A reconstruction of PMY’s velarized feature is proposed as a key to understanding the complex development in modern dialects. Based on the new reconstruction system, I discuss the viability of some proposed lexical items shared between Miao-Yao and Chinese. A modest goal is to place long-range comparisons on firmer ground, based on established sound correspondences.