Fengyan Gelao Language And Dialect Internal Comparison

Through fieldwork and comprehensively using basic modern linguistics theories, this study aims at Duoluo Fengyan dialect, Geyang branch in Kam-Tai group of Sino-Tibetan family as its object.A relatively systematic synchronic description and analysis has been made on the sound, lexicon, grammatical structure and characteristic of Yanfeng Gelao language.Based on this, a comparison within Luoduo dialects is made in order to determine its affiliation.Both linguistic field work and historical comparative methods are used in the process of research.Enriched linguistic materials have been collected by the present author through fieldwork to the Gelao-inhabited areas to investigate their language and culture. Processing and analysis on these data, a historical-comparative method is used on sound, lexicon, morphology, and syntax of Duoluo dialects.There are four chapters consisting of the body of this thesis.Preface covers introduction of research object, content, and value, affiliation issue of Gelao dialects, reviewing on the distribution of Duoluo dialect and its present research situation, and introducing the investigation situation of White Gelao in Malipo and the situation of Fengyan Gelao language in use.Chapter One is outline of Fengyan Gelao language.A description has been made on the characteristics of sound, lexicon, morphology, and syntax of Fengyan Gelao language. And the sound shift phenomena of Fengyan Gelao have been induced and analyzed.Chapter Two Comparison between Fengyan Gelao and other Duoluo dialects.This chapter makes an analysis and comparison with Fengyan Gelao and other Duoluo dialects like Liuzhi Gelao in Judu, Wantao Gelao in Longlin in terms of its sound, lexicon, morphology and grammar etc.Conclusion makes a summery of highlights, viewpoints, and main ideas.The significance of the present study is obvious.a) Helping distinguish various relations within Duoluo dialects.b) Observation of remote and close relations has been made among Fengyan, Judu, and Wantao as the representatives of Duoluo's three main dialects.c) Through comparison, an overall comprehension of Duoluo Gelao dialects can be obtained.And this would help us have a clear view on the characteristics of situation and historical development of Duoluo dialects.It is the first time to comprehensively describe the newly-found Fengyan Gelao language in Malipo County Yunnan Province from its sound, lexicon, grammar and several other aspects.And the first time, the materials of White Gelao bordering China and Vietnam are revealed in relatively detailed. In addition, through a comparison of Gelao among Fengyan in Yunnan, Judu in Guizhou, and Wantao in Guangxi, it is found that Judu and Wantao Gelao share relatively close relationship, while Fegnyan Gelao and Guizhou, Guangxi Gelao share relatively remote relationship.Thus it is recommended that Judu and wantao Gelao should combine as one branch of Duoluo dialects, and Fengyan as another which represents the White Gelao bordering China and Vietnam.