英文摘要 |
This article investigates the morphology of 揭 Jie (<*giat) by using evidences drawing from the classics and Southern Min dialect. The cognates and the etymological origins of the word family of 揭 Jie are also explored. Four forms of 揭 Jie could be attested in classical documents: (1) intransitive verb *giat; (2) transitive verb *giat; (3) transitive verb *kiat; and (4) transitive verb *khiad.This article suggests that the *kiat of form (3) was derived from *giat of form (1) by the process of devoicing. This is the usual way to produce a transitive verb from a causativized intransitive one with voiced initial. The *khiad of form (4) is a modified form of 攐 Qian (<*khian) for the purpose of rhyming. On the other hand, in order to make distinction from the *giat of form (1), the *giat of form (2) became *gian through the derivation of the “Si-sheng Bie-yi” (四聲別義). The new form was written as 「揵」in Han Dynasty, and later as「掮」in Ming Dynasty.This article also points out that the morphological alternations stated above exist in the modern dialects. For example, in the Southern Min dialect the distinctions among the forms (1), (2), and (3) are preserved very well, and in Mandarin Chinese, the usage of form (2) still remains, in addition to form (3). |