A Study On The Common Suffixes Of Xiang Group In Loudi

The city of Loudi is located in the middle of Hunan Province. Loudi Cluster is a part of the Loushao sub-group of Xiang group, including Louxingqu dialect, Shuangfeng dialect, Lianyuan dialect, Lengshuijiang dialect, and Xinhua dialect. Common suffixes of Loudi Cluster are full of characteristics. They can be divided into many types, and the functions of them are diversiform. The main body of this thesis is divided into three parts. In the first part we use the method of descriptive linguistics to describe the geographical distribution, sounds, features, and differences of ten common suffixes which including"zi"(子),"ji"(唧),"zai"(崽),"zaiji"(崽唧),"tou"(头),"tuo"(砣),"gong"(公),"gu"(牯),"po"(婆),"niang"(娘). In the second part we use the method which combining the historical comparative theory and lexical diffusion theory with rich dialectal materials to explain the formation and development process of the suffix"zi"(子) in Loudi Cluster, to discuss the grammaticalization of"zai"(崽),"zaiji"(崽唧),"gong"(公),"gu"(牯),"po"(婆),"niang"(娘), and to reveal the high rising tone change in the common suffixes system. In the third part we use the two methods of description and analysis to expound the type, the historical level, and the cause of suffixal superposition in Loudi Cluster. Loudi is located between the north and south Xiang group, so its dialects not only have the common characteristics of south Chinese groups, but also receive the influences of Changsha dialect and the north Mandarin. Therefore, the lexical and grammar systems of Loudi Cluster display different historical levels and a dynamic development process. The common suffixes and the suffixal superposition are one kind of manifestation of these influences.