語言的「分區」與「分群」──漢語方言中湘南土話與粵北土話的歷史聯繫

Area Classification and Ethnic Grouping of Languages: Historical Affiliation of Southern Hunan Local Dialects and Northern Guangdong Local Dialects

漢語方言的分劃一直是個聚訟紛紜的議題，諸如：分區的名目、分區的標準、分區的層次以及分區的位階…等等。以「粵北土話」與「湘南土話」而言，自《中國語言地圖集》後，雖立名目指實，然名以「粵北」、「湘南」此類地域性語詞，卻又容易致令讀者誤認為兩者間的關係渺不相涉。科學研究之進行，需有一定的工作假設及一定的工作程序，目標不同，工序遂異。方言之分劃亦夫若斯，或側重族系分群或傾向地域區分，使得語言分劃之方法論，因著「分群」或「分區」之標的不同，而產生了質的差異。故而本文擬以「共同創新」為研究之參照原則，採用語言發生學之分群觀點，證明粵北土話與湘南土話歷史上曾有過的聯繫，關鍵的理由在於「古群母」與塞音組間的脫軌行為，以及其與送氣音間的蘊涵關係。須知語言「分群」的原則不盡止於規律運作耳，尤在於其所伴隨的「結構」性調整。本文藉這兩類方言間的關係，揭櫫語言關係的鑒別，須重視其深層上的歷史相繫之因，而非僅侷限於表象上的地域之別。

The classification of Chinese dialects involves many controversial issues, such as the categories, criteria, levels, and hierarchies of area classification. Regarding the local dialects of northern Guangdong (LDNG) and the local dialects of southern Hunan (LDSH), a book published and titled as Chinese Language Map clarifies the names of dialects of these regions. However, such categorizing approaches based on area terms, such as the names of northern Guangdong and southern Hunan, may lead to misidentification. Consequently, we may overlook the relationships between the local dialects in both areas. When conducting scientific research, it is necessary to establish hypotheses and clear procedures. Researchers have different goals so they employ different methodologies. It should be same when classifying dialects. Due to different emphases on ethnic grouping or area classification and different targets by the two approaches, the methodologies used to classify dialects generate qualitative discrepancies. Therefore, this study utilizes the approach of shared innovation and the sub-grouping perspectives of genetic linguistics to expound the affiliated relationship between the LDNG and LDSH. This approach can be verified through historical records. The key point is that there are uncommon aberrancy phenomena found within the initial consonant Qun and stop-plosive consonants, as well as the implication of aspirated sound consonants and the initial consonant Qun. Not only do the principles of language sub-grouping include regular operation, but they also require accompanied structure adjustment. Through the affiliation between the LDNG and LDSH, this study reveals that the identification of linguistic relationships must emphasize several profound factors tied into historical contexts. The identifications should not be limited to the external differences of areas.