上古漢語聲調系統: 「古有四聲說」商榷

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is to re-examine existing opinions regarding the Tone issue of the Ancient Chinese Period. The Tone issue of the Ancient Chinese Period can be largely divided into opinions regarding the classification of Tone Category and presumption of Tone Pitch. In this paper, the main object for analysis is the classification of Tone Category. Various opinions of scholars from the Song Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty as well as the modern age have been compared and analyzed for this paper. Some scholars claim that no Tones at all existed in the Ancient Chinese Period, while other scholars claim that three, four or five Tone Categories existed during the Ancient Chinese Period. Modern scholars’ opinions also vary, suggesting either three, four or five Tone Categories. This shows that there has been no authorized opinion established regarding the Tone issue of the Ancient Chinese Period. This paper draws a conclusion that the opinion claimed by Wu Yu, Cheng Jiong, Chen Di, Gu Yanwu, Jiang Yong, Dai Zhen, Qian Daxin, Duan Yucai, Kong Guangsen, Zhang Huiyan, Zhang Chengsun, Zhang Binglin, Wang Guowei, Huang Kan, Wang Niansun, Liu Fenglu, Xia Xin, Xia Xie, Huang Yizhou and Jiang Yougao from the period of the Song Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and QingDynasty is reasonable, that Four Tones existed in the Ancient Chinese Period. This conclusion is also reflected in the analysis results by Zhou Zumo, Li Fanggui, Xie Yunfei, Ding Bangxin, Liu Changpei, Zhang Risheng, Xie Jifeng and Zheng Zhenqiang from the modern age, that Four Tones existed in the Ancient Chinese Period. Through the research result of this paper, I hope that a conclusion can be drawn regarding the Tone issue of the Ancient Chinese Period, which has been controversial in the academic world.