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.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
Graham Thrugood
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Lisu and Proto lolo burmese
Year: 1978 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5122
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The paper by Graham Thurgood presents an analysis of the Lisu language and its relationship with proto-Lolo-Burmese, enhancing current understanding of the phonological systems within this language family. It offers crucial insights into the reconstruction of proto prefixes, tones, and rhymes, employing Lisu data to shed light on sound changes and their conditioning factors. The study highlights various developments in Lisu that contribute to a deeper understanding of Lolo-Burmese reconstruction, which is still in its early stages.
Influence of Prefixes on Tone
One significant aspect discussed in the paper is the impact of prefixes on tone height in Lisu. Prefixes play a vital role in determining tonal properties in Tibeto-Burman languages, and Lisu showcases how different proto-prefixes can affect tone. For instance, the nasal prefix m- lowers tones while the s- prefix raises them. This interaction indicates that tone height is not solely influenced by the voicing of initial consonants, but rather involves a complex interplay of prefixes that can raise or lower the tonal class of syllables.
Fossil Forms and Evidence Retention
Thurgood highlights the presence of fossil forms, which are remnants of earlier prefix systems visible in modern Lolo-Burmese languages. These forms offer significant evidence for reconstructing the phonological systems of proto-Lolo-Burmese. The author provides examples from Written Burmese and other sources, demonstrating how certain roots retain initial sounds that can be attributed to the influence of prefixes. Such fossil forms provide crucial insights into the historical phonology of Lolo-Burmese and the evolutionary path of its languages.
Tone and Rhyme Correspondences
The analysis of tone and rhyme correspondence reveals that rhyme structure in Lisu is more complex than previously thought. The author categorizes rhymes into open, nasal, and checked types, noting that Lisu has multiple reflexes for these rhymes. The study outlines how specific conditions influence the transitions between proto-rhymes and modern forms, emphasizing that the evolution of rhyme structures is interlinked with phonological shifts influenced by initial consonants and prefixes.
Consonantal Developments
Additionally, the paper examines the development of consonants in Lisu, specifically regarding initial and medial clusters. Thurgood discusses how specific consonantal sounds transitioned over time, noting patterns in the reflexes of different proto-initials. The convergence of some Loloish consonants, particularly the r- and w- initials, illustrates a general trend toward simplification and loss of certain phonetic distinctions in the modern language. This aspect underscores the dynamic nature of phonological evolution across related languages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Graham Thurgood's paper significantly enhances the understanding of Lisu and its connection to proto-Lolo-Burmese. Through detailed analyses of prefixes, tones, rhyme correspondences, fossil forms, and consonantal transformations, it provides valuable insights that can guide future research in Lolo-Burmese languages. The findings emphasize the complexity of sound change processes and the importance of comparative analysis in reconstructing linguistic histories, highlighting the necessity for continued exploration in this area.
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 sound changes, tonal influences, and prefix correspondences using Lisu data for reconstruction.
How does Lisu contribute to Lolo-Burmese reconstruction?
Lisu data modifies existing reconstruction schemas by providing evidence for tones, prefixes, dental vs. palatal affricates, and rhymes, which are crucial for understanding Lolo-Burmese historical phonology.
What are some sound changes identified in Lisu?
Three major developments include tone height changes from proto prefixes, the rhyming transitions from *-ay to -u, and the shift from *-ak to -a depending on the context.
What prefixes are essential in the Lolo-Burmese morphological system?
Key prefixes recovered include *a-, *k- (animal), *s- (flesh), and *m-, which significantly influence the tone and the initial consonant in Lolo-Burmese languages.
How do tones interact with prefixes in Lisu?
Certain prefixes, such as *s- and *k-, can raise or lower the tones of the syllables they precede, creating distinct tonal classes in Lisu, influenced further by root-initial consonants.
What are the reconstructed open rhymes for Lolo-Burmese?
The reconstructed open rhymes include *-ǝy, *-i, *-ay, *-a, *-ǝw, *-11, *-aw, and *-ul, with multiple reflexes in modern Lisu reflecting phonetic changes over time.
What significance does the *s- prefix have in Lisu?
The *s- prefix appears as a significant morphological marker indicating flesh or animal terms across languages, highlighting its historical development and tonal effects in Lolo-Burmese.
What further research is indicated by this paper's findings?
While providing valuable insights, the paper suggests that Lolo-Burmese reconstruction is still in its early stages, necessitating more extensive comparative work and analysis of sound changes and correspondences.