The Gelao Language Nose Crown Initials,

The present study lays focus on the prenasalized initials in Gelao language.Previous scholarship on Gelao language has been sparse due to the lack of data. In spite of the small number of its native speakers, Gelao language holds a central position within the Tai-Kadai language family because of its vast geographical distribution and linguistic diversity, which in turn provides especially fertile ground for historical comparative study, for which the increase in linguistic data of Gelao language collected by scholars both in China and abroad in recent years has made necessary preparations. Based on the plentiful data of a range of Gelao varieties, the historical comparative method and sound change rules, the present study makes an attempt to explore the development of prenasalization of consonant clusters, one important onset feature in Gelao language, so as to promote the study of Gelao language, serve as some reference for the sub-grouping of the Gelao varieties and the further study on the genetic relation of Gelao language as well.The present thesis consists of 4 parts:The introductory part sates the significance of the present study and provides an overview to the related scholarship.Chapter 1 introduces the phonological and compositional features as well as the distribution of the prenasalized initials in modern Gelao varieties.Chapter 2 is the main body of the present study, as it gives an investigation on the development of the prenasalized intials in modern Gelao language. The first section of this chapter provides an overview of the initial system of proto-Gelao and proto-Tai-Kadai language family reconstructed by different scholars and that of the related modern Gelao varieties, then it proposes the origins of the prenasalized initials in modern Gelao language. With historical comparative method, the second section sets forth some reconstructions on the developing strata of the prenasalized initials in modern Gelao language which originated from the proto-prenasalized initials, classifying them into several types of labial, alveolar and velar. Section 3 and Section 4 explore the main change strata of the prenasalized initials in modern Gelao language that originated from the proto-nasal initials, dividing them into voiced and voiceless types.The conclusion part summarizes the findings of the study, mentions other possible origins of the prenasalized initials such as proto-voiced stops and clusters and offers some suggestions for further study.