≪詩經≫의 脂微部 合韻 현상 試論

Abstract

Since Wang Li proposed a clear distinction between the zhi group(脂部) and the wei group(微部) in the Book of Odes, the rhyme system of which is believed to represent the Old Chinese phonology, there have been few challenges to his distinction. But we can find out a significant number of rhyme contacts unusually frequent between the groups in the Book of Odes. I believe that Wang Li’s proposition relies upon the assumption that the phonological system in the Xiesheng(諧聲) era and that in the Book of Odes should be almost identical. That is why we cannot explain the exact reason for such frequent mixed rhymes with his proposition. But considering the length of time spanning several hundred years between the two eras, I am against the above traditional assumption, but rather in favour of the assumption that there were some sound changes during the period.In this study, I postulate that the two groups, which later merged into one just before the Han Dynasty, might have been distinct in the Xiesheng era. and the Book of Odes is probably representing a phonological transition proceeding to Han. I can recognize from this postulate that what the traditionalists called ‘the mixed rhyming between the two groups’ is not the true sense of ‘mixed’, but is actually the revelation of the process of merging.Finally, after close observation on the rhyme contacts between the groups, and an appropriate investigation upon the principles of sound changes I find that there has to be some revision on the boundary between the groups and that the characters in the zhi were probably merged into the wei. But it still remains to study the origin and development of each individual character in the zhi to support this proposition. I expect to go forward with these problems in my later study.