| The Lao Qida was a book produced in the Yuan dynasty as a Chinese language primer for Korean students. It was subsequently translated into Korean, Mongolian, Japanese and Manchu. It was also redacted several times, reflecting changes in the Chinese language spoken in Northern China throughout the centuries. As such it is invaluable for the study of the stages of early Mandarin from the Yuan dynasty to the middle of the Qing dynasty. This dissertation includes an annotated translation of this Chinese text; in part aided by reference to the Manchu, Mongolian and Korean texts.; The second portion of the dissertation is an analysis of several syntagmatic relationships that obtain in the language of the text. These concern word order, verbal modification, and the relationships between words usually placed in the category of voice in western grammars.; After examining the relationships described, the conclusion is reached that many of the structures used to implement these relationships are assigned to an earlier period in the history of the Chinese language than is attested by investigation of the language of the Lao Qida. It appears further work should be done in the field of diachronic analysis of the Chinese language. |
