Lisu and proto Lolo-Burmese
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Lisu and proto Lolo-Burmese
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Graham Thrugood
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Lisu and proto Lolo-Burmese
Year: 1977 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5133
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
This paper by Graham Thurgood provides an in-depth analysis of the relationship between the Lisu language and proto-Lolo-Burmese. It emphasizes the modifications to reconstruction schemas regarding prefixes, tones, and rhymes based on evidence from Lisu. The work is positioned within the still-developing field of Lolo-Burmese reconstruction and highlights the critical role that Lisu data plays in understanding this linguistic family. The paper details significant sound changes and regular correspondences between the two phonological systems, offering valuable insights into Lisu’s development and its implications for the Lolo-Burmese languages.
Importance of Prefixes in Lolo-Burmese
One of the primary focuses of the study is the role of prefixes in Lolo-Burmese phonology. While modern Lolo-Burmese languages retain limited overt evidence of a prefixal system, the paper identifies several proto-prefixes such as a-, k-, s-, and m-, alongside their influence on tonal patterns and consonant behavior. The fossil forms indicate that remnants of these prefixes, often treated as root-initial consonants, can reveal the evolution of modern forms. These fossils allow for deeper reconstructions of the historical phonological landscape of Lolo-Burmese, suggesting a more complex system than is currently evident.
Lisu Sound Changes: Tone Development
Thurgood investigates the impact of various prefixes on the tonal height of proto-checked syllables in Lisu. He notes that prefixes not only serve grammatical functions but also significantly influence the phonetic outcome of the root syllables. For instance, specific prefixes cause changes in tone that align with changes in the manner of articulation of the initial consonants. This interaction between prefixes and tone height is crucial for understanding the overall phonological changes within Lisu, making clear the intricate connections between morphology and phonetics in the language's evolution.
Lisu Rhymes and Their Complex Patterns
Another significant contribution from Thurgood's research is the study of Lisu rhymes and their reflex patterns. The paper outlines the correspondence between proto-rhymes and their modern Lisu counterparts, emphasizing the varieties of reflexes stemming from historical forms. For example, Lisu often reflects distinct patterns for open rhymes, nasal rhymes, and checked rhymes, revealing the complexity and richness of the phonological system. Understanding these patterns is essential for advancing the reconstruction of proto-Lolo-Burmese and highlights the nuanced nature of tonal and vocalic changes over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Thurgood's analysis provides valuable insights into the intricate relationships between Lisu and proto-Lolo-Burmese, emphasizing the importance of prefixes, tonal shifts, and rhyme patterns. By carefully examining sound changes and historical phonological connections, the study enriches our understanding of Lolo-Burmese reconstruction. As the field progresses, it becomes evident that much work remains to be done to fully uncover the linguistic history of these languages. Lisu's role as an evidential language in this reconstruction effort is both significant and illuminating, promising further discoveries in Tibeto-Burman linguistic studies.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of Graham Thurgood's paper?
The paper examines the relationship between Lisu and proto-Lolo-Burmese, outlining phonological correspondences and reconstructing proto prefixes, tones, and rhymes based on Lisu data.
What types of sound changes are observed in Lisu?
Notable changes include prefix effects on tone height, rhyme shifts from *-ay to -u, and shifts from *-ak to -a, as well as unique reflexes among resonants and sibilants.
How does Lisu contribute to proto-Lolo-Burmese reconstruction?
Lisu provides critical evidence for tonal shifts and prefixal functions, allowing for adjustments to existing reconstruction techniques and differentiating sound reflexes observed in related languages.
What prefixes are reconstructed in proto-Lolo-Burmese?
Prefixes such as *a-, *k- (animal prefix), and *s- (flesh) are identified, with some affecting initial consonants and tones in Lisu and related languages.
How are the rhymes categorized in the study?
Rhymes are divided into open, nasal, and checked categories, with specific patterns of reflexes being identified for proto-Lolo-Burmese rhymes, though exceptions exist in their distributions.
What role do tones play in Lisu phonology?
Tones in Lisu provide evidence for historical sound changes, revealing connections between prefixes and tone heights, illustrating how tonal evolution is sensitive to syllable structures.
What challenges does Lolo-Burmese reconstruction face?
Lolo-Burmese reconstruction is still in its early stages, requiring ongoing comparative work to refine and modify initial reconstructions based on emerging linguistic evidence from languages like Lisu.